Tissue engineering of aortic tissue: dire consequence of suboptimal elastic fiber synthesis in vivo

Abstract

In this study, we report for the first time, the implantation of a TEBV in the descending aorta in a large animal model. TEBV were fully functional for up to 3 months. At 6 months the graft remained functional but significantly dilated, most likely caused by an insufficient elastic fiber synthesis. Hence, future studies need to focus on the stimulation of elastin synthesis in TEBV.