The objective of this grant application is to research, test and validate a bi-modal diagnostic platform combining optical and ultrasound imaging technologies for real-time, non-destructive in-vitro and in-vivo analysis of composition, structure function and site specific cellular repopulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds utilized fr vascular tissue engineering. The proposed approach has the potential to significantly advance the field of vascular tissue engineering and facilitate translation of engineered vascular material to clinical application. The non-destructive nature of the proposed platform enables repeated assessment of ECM scaffold and recellularized construct structure-function relationships both in-vitro and in-vivo. The proposed technology therefore alleviates the need for destructive analysis methods across multiple time points, which are costly, time consuming and frequently impractical. Moreover, the proposed technology will facilitate (a) in-vitro rapid screening of scaffold production methods and non-destructive assessment of batch quality; and (b) non- terminal in-vivo assessment across multiple time points, thereby providing mechanistic insights into engineered vascular tissue regenerative processes. The proposed bi-modal platform will integrate two non-ionizing radiation techniques for label-free tissue analysis: (1) Multispectral Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRFS) system for evaluation of ECM composition and biochemical heterogeneities of vascular biomaterials; and (2) High-frequency Ultrasound (US) imaging for evaluation of structural properties and morphology in vascular biomaterials. This is enabled by either Ultrasound Backscatter Microscopy (UBM) for planar scanning or conventional Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) for rotational scanning.
Four specific aims will be addressed.
Aim 1 is focused on developing a set of customized tools (instrumentation and data analysis methods) for in- vitro and in-vivo assessment of vascular scaffolds and constructs.
Aim 2 in focused on demonstrating the feasibility of the bi-modal platform as a non-destructive tool for assessment of vascular scaffold properties.
Aim 3 is focused on demonstrating the bi-modal platform's ability as a non-destructively tool for in-vitro studying and monitoring of vascular tissue construct formation.
Aim 4 is focused on demonstrating the feasibility of the bi-modal technique as a non-destructive tool for monitoring the maturation of vascular constructs in-vivo post- implantation. In summary, the technology proposed for development and validation in this grant application offers a non-destructive solution for the evaluation of many important features (compositional, structural and functional) associated with the maturity and functionality of vascular biomaterials. This is likely to improve our ability to produce engineered vascular tissues in the laboratory for in-vivo implantation which can accelerate the integration time of the implant with the surrounding host tissue, thus restoring the desired quality of life to the patient. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of engineered vascular tissue, though, if successful, this non-destructive technique can be applied to assess a variety of engineered tissues.
As emphasized by the NHLBI cardiac surgery working group there is a strong clinical need for blood vessel replacement and focused research in this area. This is underscored by current statistics that indicates that 1 in 6 deaths in the US are due to coronary heart disease which in combination with the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (12-20% in individuals >60 years of age) make the cardiovascular diseases the most prominent health problem in the US. New therapeutic and diagnostic technologies including advancements in vascular tissue engineering technologies and materials for small vessel replacement, and development of imaging instrumentation supporting these areas are needed. Currently, the development of functional vascular tissue scaffolds/constructs and evaluation of these constructs properties are hampered by lack of non-destructive rapid assessment methods. Presently, such assessment is based on destructive analysis at multiple time points, which is expensive, time consuming and subject to inherent cellular variability. Moreover, post- implantation maturation, long-term safety and efficacy of the engineered constructs are difficult to assess in the clinical setting where implant removal for destructive analysis is not possible. I this grant application we propose the development and validation of a bi-modal tissue diagnostic platform that offers a non-destructive solution addressing the major challenges in development of a tissue engineered vascular scaffold and construct.
