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 showed high proliferation and contractile abilities. The engineered constructs required mechanical force for cell alignment, which was crucial for developing contractility within 24 hours of seeding. After 2 weeks, the cells integrated into the SIS, secreting collagen and elastin, and the constructs exhibited significant vascular reactivity and mechanical properties comparable to native ovine arteries. This combination demonstrated potential for creating mechanically robust and biologically functional vascular media suitable for arterial implantation.