Scaffolds made of degradable polymers, such as collagen, polyesters or polysaccharides, are promising matrices for fabrication of bioartificial vascular grafts or patches. In this study, collagen isolated from porcine skin was processed into a gel, reinforced with collagen particles and with incorporated adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs). The cell-material constructs were then incubated in a DMEM medium with 2% of FS (DMEM_part), with added polyvinylalcohol nanofibers (PVA_part sample), and for ASCs differentiation towards smooth muscle cells (SMCs), the medium was supplemented either with human platelet lysate released from PVA nanofibers (PVA_PL_part) or with TGF-β1 + BMP-4 (TGF + BMP_part). The constructs were further endothelialised with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs). The immunofluorescence staining of alpha-actin and calponin, and von Willebrand factor, was performed. The proteins involved in cell differentiation, the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and ECM remodelling proteins were evaluated by mass spectrometry on day 12 of culture. Mechanical properties of the gels with ASCs were measured via an unconfined compression test on day 5. Gels evinced limited planar shrinkage, but it was higher in endothelialised TGF + BMP_part gel. Both PVA_PL_part samples and TGF + BMP_part samples supported ASC growth and differentiation towards SMCs, but only PVA_PL_part supported homogeneous endothelialisation. Young modulus of elasticity increased in all samples compared to day 0, and PVA_PL_part gel evinced a slightly higher ratio of elastic energy. The results suggest that PVA_PL_part collagen construct has the highest potential to remodel into a functional vascular wall.

Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Education and Humanities Technical University of Liberec Studentska 1402 2 461 17 Liberec Czech Republic

Department of Composites and Carbon Materials the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences 5 Holesovickach 94 41 182 09 Prague 8 Czech Republic

Department of Mechanics Biomechanics and Mechatronics Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Czech Technical University Prague Technicka 4 166 00 Prague 6 Czech Republic

Faculty of Health Studies Technical University of Liberec Studentska 1402 2 461 17 Liberec Czech Republic

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technical University of Liberec Studentska 1402 2 461 17 Liberec Czech Republic

Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Videnska 1083 142 00 Prague 4 Czech Republic

Regional Hospital Liberec Husova 357 10 460 63 Liberec Czech Republic

Vinicna Microscopy Core Facility Faculty of Science Charles University Albertov 6 128 43 Prague 2 Czech Republic

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