TY - JOUR A1 - Lau, Skadi A1 - Gossen, Manfred A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Designing cardiovascular implants taking in view the endothelial basement membrane JF - International journal of molecular sciences N2 - Insufficient endothelialization of cardiovascular grafts is a major hurdle in vascular surgery and regenerative medicine, bearing a risk for early graft thrombosis. Neither of the numerous strategies pursued to solve these problems were conclusive. Endothelialization is regulated by the endothelial basement membrane (EBM), a highly specialized part of the vascular extracellular matrix. Thus, a detailed understanding of the structure-function interrelations of the EBM components is fundamental for designing biomimetic materials aiming to mimic EBM functions. In this review, a detailed description of the structure and functions of the EBM are provided, including the luminal and abluminal interactions with adjacent cell types, such as vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, in vivo as well as in vitro strategies to build or renew EBM are summarized and critically discussed. The spectrum of methods includes vessel decellularization and implant biofunctionalization strategies as well as tissue engineering-based approaches and bioprinting. Finally, the limitations of these methods are highlighted, and future directions are suggested to help improve future design strategies for EBM-inspired materials in the cardiovascular field. KW - endothelial cells KW - bioinstructive implants KW - vascular grafts KW - tissue KW - engineering KW - bioprinting KW - bioinspired materials KW - biological membrane KW - endothelial basement membrane KW - biomaterial Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222313120 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 22 IS - 23 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Neffe, Axel T. A1 - Izraylit, Victor A1 - Hommes-Schattmann, Paul J. A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Soft, formstable (Co)polyester blend elastomers JF - Nanomaterials : open access journal N2 - High crystallization rate and thermomechanical stability make polylactide stereocomplexes effective nanosized physical netpoints. Here, we address the need for soft, form-stable degradable elastomers for medical applications by designing such blends from (co)polyesters, whose mechanical properties are ruled by their nanodimensional architecture and which are applied as single components in implants. By careful controlling of the copolymer composition and sequence structure of poly[(L-lactide)-co-(epsilon-caprolactone)], it is possible to prepare hyperelastic polymer blends formed through stereocomplexation by adding poly(D-lactide) (PDLA). Low glass transition temperature T-g <= 0 degrees C of the mixed amorphous phase contributes to the low Young's modulus E. The formation of stereocomplexes is shown in DSC by melting transitions T-m > 190 degrees C and in WAXS by distinct scattering maxima at 2 theta = 12 degrees and 21 degrees. Tensile testing demonstrated that the blends are soft (E = 12-80 MPa) and show an excellent hyperelastic recovery R-rec = 66-85% while having high elongation at break epsilon(b) up to >1000%. These properties of the blends are attained only when the copolymer has 56-62 wt% lactide content, a weight average molar mass >140 kg center dot mol(-1), and number average lactide sequence length >= 4.8, while the blend is formed with a content of 5-10 wt% of PDLA. The devised strategy to identify a suitable copolymer for stereocomplexation and blend formation is transferable to further polymer systems and will support the development of thermoplastic elastomers suitable for medical applications. KW - thermoplastic elastomer KW - biomaterial KW - stereocomplexes KW - mechanical KW - properties KW - form stability KW - crystallinity Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061472 SN - 2079-4991 VL - 11 IS - 6 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER -