Chronic kidney disease and stromal cell-derived factor 1α peptide-functionalization impact on polycarbonate-bisurea based in situ tissue-engineered vascular graft dynamics.
Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) peptide functionalization has been pitched as a way to boost tissue-engineered vascular grafts. So, what happens when you actually try it—especially in the high-stakes context of chronic kidney disease? A Dutch research team put this idea to the test using polycarbonate-bisurea (PC-BU) grafts in rats, some with healthy kidneys, some with CKD.
Sci Rep
by Krebber MM, Besseling PJ, Driessen RCH et al.
“Chronic kidney disease and stromal cell-derived factor 1α peptide-functionalization impact on polycarbonate-bisurea based in situ tissue-engineered vascular graft dynamics. Krebber MM(#)(1), Besseling PJ(#)(1)(2), Driessen RCH(2)(3), Lichauco AM(2)(3), Szymczyk W(2)(3), Söntjens SHM(4), Janssen HM(4), Teraa M(1)(5), Fledderus JO(1), Smits AIPM(2)(3), Dankers PYW(2)(3), Bouten CVC(2)(3), Verhaar MC(6). Author information: (1)Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 8599, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. (2)Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. (3)Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. (4)SyMO-Chem BV, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. (5)Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. (6)Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 8599, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. M.C.Verhaar@UMCUtrecht.nl. (#)Contributed equally Bioresorbable grafts offer promise for in situ tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBVs), yet balancing graft degradation and neo-tissue formation remains challenging. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) may affect this balance, potentially limiting TEBV effectiveness in CKD-patients. To investigate this, we implanted electrospun, polycarbonate-bisurea (PC-BU) TEBVs in healthy (sham) and 5/6th-nephrectomy-induced CKD rats. Additionally, we evaluated whether stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α)-peptide functionalization improved outcomes. TEBVs were explanted after two weeks (sham or CKD) or three months (sham). After two weeks, patency was 100% in sham (n = 13) and CKD (n = 12) explants, all containing an endothelial lining (RECA), smooth muscle (αSMA) and inflammatory (CD68) cells. Graft degradation was evident in all groups with similar uniaxial tensile strength independent of group or timepoint. Lumen dilatation was observed in three-month sham explants (n = 8), accompanied by limited inflammation. From three weeks post-implantation onwards, graft degradation-related TEBV rupture and fatality occurred in n = 4 sham. The CKD arm was discontinued due to rapid disease progression. Independent of disease or timepoint, SDF-1α-peptide-functionalization did not impact patency, tissue formation or graft degradation. In conclusion, PC-BU TEBVs supported rapid neo-tissue formation and maturation but were prone to unpredicted failure. Neither CKD nor SDF-1α functionalization influenced patency, neo-tissue formation or graft degradation. © 2026. The Author(s). Conflict of interest statement: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval and consent to participate: All rats in the selected studies were used in agreement with the law on animal experiments in the Netherlands.”
Here’s the core of it: both healthy and CKD rats got these bioresorbable grafts. Some were functionalized with SDF-1α peptide, others weren’t. Patency rates? 100% after two weeks in both groups. The grafts quickly developed an endothelial lining, smooth muscle, and inflammatory cells—good signals for tissue integration. Graft degradation started early but didn’t seem to impact early strength.
Three months later, things got interesting. The healthy rats saw some grafts dilate, and a few ruptured due to degradation. The CKD group had to be stopped early because the disease progressed too fast for this experimental setup. But here’s the kicker: SDF-1α peptide functionalization didn’t make a difference—no advantage for patency, tissue formation, or graft durability.
Key takeaway: PC-BU vascular grafts support rapid new tissue growth without early blockages, but their long-term reliability is still unpredictable. SDF-1α peptide functionalization, at least in this context, didn’t change the game. For researchers, it’s a reminder to test, not assume, that new bioactive tweaks will deliver in vivo.
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