Hair Follicle-Derived Smooth Muscle Cells and Small Intestinal Submucosa for Engineering Mechanically Robust and Vasoreactive Vascular Media

The study explored the use of smooth muscle cells derived from hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells (HF-SMCs) combined with small intestinal submucosa (SIS) to engineer vascular media. HF-SMCs exhibited high proliferation, clonogenic potential, and contractile function. The engineered vascular constructs required mechanical force for cell alignment, which was crucial for developing contractility. Within 2 weeks, the cells integrated into SIS, secreting collagen and elastin, essential components of the vessel wall. The resulting vascular media demonstrated significantly increased reactivity and mechanical properties comparable to native ovine arteries, indicating potential for arterial implantation.