The research team led by associate professor Wang Chunming of the Chinese Medicine Research Institute of the University of Macau used polysaccharide in Chinese medicine to design a biomaterial that can preferentially support the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells . This thin cloth-like material, similar to the process of spinning spider silk, can help and promote blood vessel growth and wound repair. Once applied to the clinic, it is expected to provide new treatments for peripheral vascular disease and many other diseases. The research results have been published in the authoritative international material science journal " Advanced Materials " (Advanced Materials).
A new type of vascular material prepared from polysaccharides in the traditional Chinese medicine Konjac (right) (left)
With global aging and changes in diet, the incidence of various vascular diseases continues to rise . In recent years, vascular stent or vascular substitute has brought new gospel to patients. The human body has a rich blood vessel network, and the most important cells that make up blood vessels are called vascular endothelial cells. A good vascular scaffold material should support endothelial cells to settle on its surface and provide fertile soil for new blood vessels. Vascular endothelial cells should cover the material perfectly, so that the blood is not aware of the presence of the material, otherwise blood coagulation and blockage will occur. However, a variety of covering materials are currently unable to achieve this, which affects the therapeutic effect.
In the process of research, the AU research team was inspired by fungi invading human blood vessels and discovered that specific polysaccharides can "bridge" with vascular endothelial cells; although these fungal polysaccharides are not easy to obtain, But it can be simulated by polysaccharides from other sources. However, polysaccharides will dissolve in body fluids, making it difficult to process and shape. After repeated attempts by the researcher,In the end, the natural drug konjac polysaccharide was selected as the model molecule, and a unique chemical method was used to spray it into a thin cloth-like material under an electric field, similar to the process of spinning spider silk. This is a new type of material that allows vascular endothelial cells to adhere to each other, but does not respond to other tissue cells. It can help blood vessels to recover and grow in the lower limb ischemia model in mice, and does not require additional drugs. It will not cause blood vessel blockage or body toxicity.
Wang Chunming said that finding suitable ingredients from many Chinese medicinal materials to promote body regeneration has always been the direction of his and his team's efforts for many years. Although this discovery is still in its early stages, the team will actively seek opportunities to verify efficacy and safety in larger animal models. The ultimate goal is to enter clinical transformation and develop into medical devices or pharmaceutical products.
(from left) Wang Chunming, Mu Ruoyu, Liao Zhencheng and Zhang Yuhan
The PhD student Ruo Yu and master Zhang Yuhan (graduated in January 2020) of the University of Chinese Medicine in Australia are the joints of this thesis The first author, Wang Chunming and professor Dong Lei from Nanjing University are the co-corresponding authors. Professor Su Huanxing from the Chinese Medicine Research Institute of the University of Australia, PhD students Yan Lingli and Liao Zhencheng, and Ph.D. Yang Yushun from Nanjing University also made important contributions. The research was funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao Special Administrative Region (File No. 0018/2019/AFJ and 0097/2019/A2). The full text can be browsed: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202103490
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