Enhanced Biodegradation and Biocompatibility of Vascular Grafts Through Oriented Core-Shell Fibrous Structure and Incorporation of Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate

Abstract

Microstructure and biological activity have been pivotal factors in the modification of vascular grafts. Equally crucial, however, are degradation behavior and mechanical stability, both of which are key to long-term success of grafts. To optimize these properties, we prepared oriented fiber membranes with core-shell structures through coaxial electrospinning, incorporating varying concentrations of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS). In this design, poly-ethylene oxide (PEO)/STS served as the core layer, while poly-L-lactide-co-caprolactone (PLCL) formed the shell. Our findings revealed that both random and oriented fiber membranes exhibited excellent mechanical properties. Notably, compared to random fiber membranes, the oriented counterparts showed enhanced hydrophilicity and a tunable degradation rate. Furthermore, the sustained release of STS from the membranes inhibited platelet adhesion and significantly promote cell diffusion, growth, and proliferation. Importantly, the oriented fiber membranes loaded with STS were able to induce a highly organized cell arrangement and upregulate the expression of CD144 and vWF in endothelial cells. These promising findings suggest that oriented core-shell fiber membranes loaded with PEO/STS could offer valuable insights into vascular graft design and hold potential for further exploration in animal studies.