Evaluation of endothelial cell proliferation and phenotype on a novel electrospun biomaterial scaffold

Peripheral arterial disease is a vascular condition, generally caused by atherosclerosis, in which narrowing or blockage of the arteries reduces blood flow to the limbs. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications to improve circulation and control risk factors, and in more severe cases revascularization procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery. In peripheral bypass surgery, surgeons create an alternate route for blood to flow around a blocked artery using either autologous or synthetic vein grafts. This study investigated the behavior of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on a novel electrospun biopolymeric scaffold, P(BCE_{75}BPripol_{25}), designed for this kind of vascular tissue engineering applications. The analysis focused on cell adhesion, proliferation, and molecular phenotype monitoring, under static or dynamic culture, conditions to assess the material’s biocompatibility and its influence on endothelial phenotype over a seven-day period. Cell adhesion and proliferation were quantified using the PrestoBlue viability assay, while phenotypical differentiation was evaluated through qPCR targeting vascular markers (PECAM1, VCAM1, ICAM1, vWF, and VEGFA). Results indicated that dynamic culture enhanced cell proliferation compared to static conditions, likely due to improved nutrient exchange. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of vascular markers, with differentiation appearing more dependent on the scaffold material than on culture conditions. Overall, the study demonstrated good biocompatibility of the electrospun scaffold and its potential suitability for endothelialization in small-diameter vascular graft applications.