Engineering the microcirculation

The ultimate survival of tissue-engineered constructs in vivo depends on the provision of an adequate blood supply to the engineered tissue and the capacity of the engineered microcirculation to connect with the existing recipient circulation. Techniques for the vascularization of tissue-engineered constructs can be broadly grouped into in vitro and in vivo approaches that rely on the presence of a pro-angiogenic microenvironment. Significant advances have been made in resolving the problem of microcirculatory network formation for large 3-dimensional constructs; however, issues concerning construct-host vessel connection, expansion of vascular volume accompanying growing tissue, and prevention of premature or excessive vascular regression remain to be resolved. This review provides an overview of current approaches to creating microcirculatory networks with respect to the cells involved, growth factors, growth factor delivery systems, and scaffold properties required to engineer a permanent microcirculatory network for tissue-engineered constructs. In addition, the review examines concerns related to vascular remodeling and regression reported in some tissue-engineering models.