Reinforced biotubes as readily available and regenerative vascular grafts

The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and haemodialysis access drive high clinical demand for vascular grafts. Bioinert synthetic and decellularized or cryopreserved artery grafts exhibit poor regeneration and associated complications. Here, we present an approach that combines in vivo bioengineering and decellularization to prepare polycaprolactone skeleton-reinforced biotubes (dPB), which demonstrate appropriate mechanical strength, anti-kinking properties, resistance to repeat puncture, and are compatible with long-term storage at 4 °C. The loose and porous microstructure and immunomodulatory bioactivity of dPB induce rapid recellularization and promote pro-regenerative M2 macrophage polarization, which together facilitate remodelling to native artery-like tissue. In porcine coronary artery bypass grafting, canine carotid artery replacements and arteriovenous grafting models, ovine-derived dPB show high patency without dilatation, calcification and intimal hyperplasia. In summary, dPB offer a readily available and pro-regenerative vascular graft with a broad application prospect for patients with unavailable autologous vessels.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2026-03-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70799-0
Primary Topic
Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
Type
article
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article

Reinforced biotubes as readily available and regenerative vascular grafts

Tengzhi Ma, Ruixin Zhang, Dengke Zhi, Beat H. Walpoth et al.
Nature Communications
Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
article

Reinforced biotubes as readily available and regenerative vascular grafts

Tengzhi Ma, Ruixin Zhang, Dengke Zhi, Beat H. Walpoth, Adam C. Midgley, Quhan Cheng, Qining Fu, Yi Wan, Baofa Sun, DeLing KONG, Xiaorui Ping, Meifeng Zhu, Jiayao Zheng, Xianhui Liang, Muhammad Rafique, Yu Shi, Xiaofeng Ye, Yi Li, Yu Zhao, Su Zhang, Kai Wang, Qiuying Zhang, Qiang Zhao, Boxin Liu, Pei Wang, Tingting Wei, Ting Wei Wang
article en

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and haemodialysis access drive high clinical demand for vascular grafts. Bioinert synthetic and decellularized or cryopreserved artery grafts exhibit poor regeneration and associated complications. Here, we present an approach that combines in vivo bioengineering and decellularization to prepare polycaprolactone skeleton-reinforced biotubes (dPB), which demonstrate appropriate mechanical strength, anti-kinking properties, resistance to repeat puncture, and are compatible with long-term storage at 4 °C. The loose and porous microstructure and immunomodulatory bioactivity of dPB induce rapid recellularization and promote pro-regenerative M2 macrophage polarization, which together facilitate remodelling to native artery-like tissue. In porcine coronary artery bypass grafting, canine carotid artery replacements and arteriovenous grafting models, ovine-derived dPB show high patency without dilatation, calcification and intimal hyperplasia. In summary, dPB offer a readily available and pro-regenerative vascular graft with a broad application prospect for patients with unavailable autologous vessels.

Nature Communications
University of Geneva (CH), Nankai University (CN), Ruijin Hospital (CN), University Hospital of Geneva (CH), The Affiliated Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (CN), Hangzhou DAC Biotech (China) (CN), First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (CN), Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (MY), Chongqing Medical University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
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