Rapid Preparation of Collagen/Red Blood Cell Membrane Tubes for Stenosis-Free Vascular Regeneration

Extracellular matrix (ECM)-based small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs, inner diameter (ID) < 6 mm) hold great promise for clinical applications. However, existing ECM-based SDVGs suffer from limited donor availability, complex purification, high cost, and insufficient mechanical properties. SDVGs with ECM-like structure and function, and good mechanical properties were rapidly prepared by optimizing common materials and preparation, which can improve their clinical prospects. Here, we rapidly prepared an electrospinning film-collagen/red blood cell membrane-genipin hydrogel tube (ES-C/Rm-G-ht, ID = 2 mm) by the combination of the cross-linking of genipin, plastic compression, electrospinning, and rolling without a biological adhesive, which had a shorter preparation time of less than 17 h compared to the existing ECM-based SDVGs (preparation time of 4-18 weeks). ES-C/Rm-G-ht exhibited a layered honeycomb-like structure and demonstrated the ECM-like functions to promote the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, and prevent thrombus and inflammation. Furthermore, ES-C/Rm-G-ht, possessing sufficient mechanical strength, showed high patency, rapid endothelialization (95%), good regeneration of smooth muscle cell layers and ECM, and effective antistenosis capability after implantation in the rabbit's carotid artery for 31 days. This work provides a straightforward, cost-effective, and promising strategy to prepare SDVGs with ECM-like structure and function, which is an ideal alternative for vascular grafts and autologous vessels in the current clinic.