Induction of bone marrow CD34+ cells and endothelialization of polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the endothelialization of prostheses with bone marrow CD34(+) cells. METHODS: CD34(+) cells were isolated from the canine bone marrow by an immune magnetic cell sorting system and induced into endothelial cells (EC) with vascular endothelial growth factor. Cells were seeded to polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses, which were implanted into the abdominal aorta artery and inferior vena cava. RESULTS: The isolated cells derived from bone marrow were CD34(+) cells by flow cytometry, which could differentiate into EC when induced by vascular endothelial growth factor. The neointima on control prostheses was significantly thicker than that on prostheses seeded with EC at the anastomosis and the centre where the prosthesis interposed to aorta. All control prostheses (4/4) interposed to veins were occlusive and two seeded prostheses (2/8) interposed to veins were already occluded. The overall occlusion rate of prostheses interposed to veins in seeded prostheses and control prostheses were 25 and 100%, respectively. However, the neointima on seeded prostheses was significantly thicker in the vein than that in the aorta. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow CD34(+) cells can be induced into EC by vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro. Polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses seeded with CD34(+) cells have the ideal endothelialization and patency.