APPLICATION OF SHEAR FLOW STRESS TO SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF IMPLANTABLE STRUCTURES

摘要

The present invention relates to methods for the growth of smooth muscle cells in culture for the production of tissue-engineered grafts or other implantable replacement structures. More specifically, the invention relates to the application of shear flow stress to smooth muscle cells in culture, wherein the cells align perpendicular to the direction of flow, thus more closely approximating the orientation of the cells in vivo. The resulting cultures and methods are useful for the production of improved vascular grafts, vessels and other implantable structures for the correction of defects or abnormal tissues in the body.