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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Isolation of Murine Adipose Tissue-derived Microvascular Fragments as Vascularization Units for Tissue Engineering
Published on: April 30, 2017
Prevascular structures promote vascularization in engineered human adipose tissue constructs upon implantation
Femke Verseijden1, Sandra J Posthumus-van Sluijs, Eric Farrell
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. f.verseijden@erasmusmc.nl
Engineered adipose tissue survival after implantation is limited by vascularization. This study preformed vascular structures using adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to improve in vivo vascularization and host integration.
Area of Science:
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Vascularization is a critical challenge for engineered tissue survival post-implantation.
- Preforming vascular networks within engineered tissues can promote integration with host vasculature.
- Adipose tissue engineering requires robust vascular supply for successful engraftment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop prevascularized engineered adipose tissue constructs by optimizing cell combinations and culture media.
- To assess the in vivo vascularization and host integration of these preformed vascular structures.
- To evaluate the adipogenic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells within the engineered constructs.
Main Methods:
- Coculture of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in spheroid formation.
- Testing various cell ratios and culture media compositions (endothelial cell medium and adipogenic medium).
- Immunohistochemistry to analyze prevascular structure formation and adipocyte differentiation markers.
- Implantation of constructs in nude mice to evaluate in vivo vascularization and anastomosis with host vasculature.
Main Results:
- Optimal prevascular structure formation was achieved with 20% ASC and 80% HUVEC in a 1:1 endothelial cell medium and adipogenic medium mixture.
- ASC within the constructs demonstrated lipid accumulation and expression of fatty acid binding protein-4, indicating adipogenesis.
- Prevascularized ASC/HUVEC constructs showed significantly higher vascular density (37 ± 17 vessels/mm(2)) compared to ASC-only constructs (3 ± 4 vessels/mm(2)).
- A subset of human vascular structures successfully anastomosed with the host mouse vasculature, evidenced by red blood cell presence.
Conclusions:
- Preforming vascular structures within engineered adipose tissue constructs using ASC and HUVEC is feasible.
- These prevascularized constructs enhance in vivo vascularization upon implantation.
- Successful anastomosis with host vasculature indicates potential for improved survival and integration of engineered adipose tissue grafts.
