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Published on: August 28, 2014
Review: advances in vascular tissue engineering using protein-based biomaterials
Jan P Stegemann1, Stephanie N Kaszuba, Shaneen L Rowe
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, NY 12180, USA. stegemann@rpi.edu
Tissue Engineering
|October 27, 2007
Summary
Vascular tissue engineering aims to create biological blood vessel replacements using protein scaffolds. While some engineered vessels are in clinical trials, challenges in cell sourcing and function remain for widespread use.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The clinical demand for effective small-diameter blood vessel substitutes is high.
- Vascular tissue engineering seeks to create functional, biological replacements for native blood vessels.
- Despite advances, challenges persist in developing engineered vascular tissues for broad clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current protein-based scaffold approaches in vascular tissue engineering.
- To discuss recent advancements, advantages, and limitations of these methods.
- To identify key hurdles for the clinical translation of engineered blood vessels.
Main Methods:
- Focus on four protein-based scaffold strategies: cell-populated hydrogels, cross-linked scaffolds, decellularized tissues, and self-assembled scaffolds.
- Analysis of recent progress and comparative evaluation of different approaches.
- Discussion of challenges including cell sourcing and functional recapitulation.
Main Results:
- Several protein-based strategies are advancing, with some engineered blood vessels entering clinical trials.
- Key challenges include replicating native blood vessel biomechanics and sourcing appropriate cells.
- Commercialization pathways for engineered vascular tissues require further definition.
Conclusions:
- Protein-based scaffolds show promise for creating fully biological blood vessel replacements.
- Overcoming hurdles in cell sourcing and functional mimicry is critical for clinical success.
- Continued innovation across multiple vascular tissue engineering approaches is needed to improve patient care.
