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Related Experiment Videos

Tissue-engineered microvessels on three-dimensional biodegradable scaffolds using human endothelial progenitor cells.

Xiao Wu1, Elena Rabkin-Aikawa, Kristine J Guleserian

  • 1Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology
|July 28, 2004
PubMed
Summary

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This study shows that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from umbilical cord blood can form microvessels in tissue engineering scaffolds when combined with smooth muscle cells. This finding supports using EPCs for creating vascular networks in engineered tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Tissue engineering requires microvascular networks for oxygen and nutrient supply.
  • Vasculogenesis in situ via progenitor cells in biopolymeric constructs is a key strategy.
  • Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial for forming new blood vessels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of human umbilical cord blood-derived EPCs for microvessel formation in tissue engineering scaffolds.
  • To assess the phenotype and functionality of expanded EPC-derived endothelial cells (ECs).
  • To evaluate microvessel formation using EPC-derived ECs on biodegradable scaffolds, alone and with smooth muscle cells.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and expansion of CD34(+)/CD133(+) EPCs from human umbilical cord blood.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Characterization of EPC-derived ECs for endothelial markers and functional phenotype.
  • Seeding EPC-derived ECs on polyglycolic acid-poly-l-lactic acid (PGA-PLLA) scaffolds, with and without smooth muscle cells.
  • Assessment of microvessel formation using microscopy.

    • Main Results:

    • Expanded EPC-derived ECs maintained endothelial markers (KDR/VEGF-R2, VE-cadherin, CD31) and a proinflammatory phenotype.
    • EPC-derived ECs alone on PGA-PLLA scaffolds did not form microvessels.
    • Co-seeding EPC-derived ECs with human smooth muscle cells resulted in significant capillary-like structure formation (76.5 +/- 35 microvessels/mm(2)).

    Conclusions:

    • EPC-derived ECs can be expanded in vitro on biodegradable scaffolds while preserving their endothelial phenotype.
    • Co-culture of EPC-derived ECs with smooth muscle cells is effective in forming microvessels within porous PGA-PLLA scaffolds.
    • EPCs show promise for constructing microvascular networks in tissue-engineered constructs.