Objective To explore the feasibility of preparing electrospun artificial vascular grafts using Wharton's jelly

（WJ） for promoting vascular reconstruction. Methods Fresh umbilical cords were voluntarily donated， and WJ was isolated and decellularized with parallel trypsinization. The decellularized WJ was then mixed with polycaprolactone （PCL） and electrospun to prepare WJ/PCL electrospun artificial vascular scaffolds. PCL electrospun artificial vascular scaffolds were prepared using the same method as a control. Liquid displacement method was used to determine the porosity， static contact angle test was used to detect hydrophilicity， BCA protein assay kit was used to evaluate protein adsorption， and weighing method was used to determine in vitro degradation performance. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were cocultured for 7 days， and cell viability was assessed using live/dead cell staining and cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. Subcutaneous immune response assessment was conducted in rabbits （immuno fluorescence staining for CD45 and CD163）. Ten New Zealand white rabbits were used to prepare a 1 cm defect in the left carotid artery. PCL and WJ/PCL electrospun artificial blood vessels were used for repair （n=5 each）. Doppler ultrasound and gross observation were performed 1 month postoperatively to assess vessel lumen diameter and patency. Biomechanical properties， and histology （Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining）， as well as immunohistochemistry staining ［smooth muscle cells （SMCs）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and endothelial cells （CD31）］ were used for evaluating vascular structure. Results The experiment successfully prepared tubular PCL and WJ/PCL electrospun artificial vascular scaffolds. Compared to PCL electrospun artificial vascular scaffolds， the WJ/PCL scaffolds exhibited better hydrophilicity， protein adsorption， in vitro degradation rate， and cell compatibility （P<0.05）， with lower immune response （P<0.05）. Animal experiments showed that 1 month postoperatively， compared to the PCL group， the WJ/PCL group had higher carotid artery patency rate and larger lumen diameter （P<0.05）. Gross observation showed a whiter repaired segment of vascular vessel tissue. Biomechanical evaluation showed higher ultimate tensile stress and fracture elongation. There was no severe granulation tissue hyperplasia， and more homogeneous and mature fibrous connective tissue was observed. The expression of SMCs，α-SMA， and CD31 was increased， with statistically significant differences （P<0.05）. Conclusion The WJ/PCL electrospun artificial vascular scaffolds prepared based on WJ effectively promotes the repair of rabbit carotid artery defects.

Wharton’s jelly, Artificial vascular prosthesis, Electrospun, Tissue engineering, Vascular reconstruction