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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
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Generation and Grafting of Tissue-engineered Vessels in a Mouse Model
Published on: March 18, 2015
Chimeric vessel tissue engineering driven by endothelialized modules in immunosuppressed Sprague-Dawley rats
Michael Dean Chamberlain1, Rohini Gupta, Michael V Sefton
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|August 11, 2010
Summary
This study shows that endothelial cells (EC) on tissue engineering modules can form stable, vascularized networks in allogeneic rats when treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Drug treatment promotes EC survival and vessel maturation for up to 60 days.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Modular tissue engineering uses small components to build functional tissues.
- Endothelial cells (EC) are crucial for vascularization in engineered tissues.
- Assessing EC fate after transplantation onto modules is key for tissue development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the survival and integration of endothelial cells transplanted onto tissue engineering modules.
- To determine the effect of immunosuppressive drugs on EC fate and vascular network formation.
- To investigate the potential for forming stable, vascularized tissues using cell-free modules.
Main Methods:
- Rat aortic endothelial cells (EC) were seeded onto collagen gel modules.
- Modules were transplanted into allogeneic rats, with or without immunosuppressive drugs (atorvastatin, tacrolimus).
- Vessel density, EC migration, and vessel maturation were assessed over 60 days using GFP-labeled cells.
Main Results:
- Drug-treated rats showed significantly increased vessel density compared to untreated rats.
- GFP-positive donor EC migrated, formed primitive vessels by day 7, and survived up to 60 days in drug-treated animals.
- Drug treatment facilitated the formation of mature, chimeric, and perfusable vascular networks supported by host cells.
Conclusions:
- Primary unmodified endothelial cells can form stable, chimeric vascular beds in allogeneic recipients with immunosuppressive drug support.
- This study demonstrates a novel approach for creating vascularized tissues using cell-surface-seeded modules.
- Successful vascularization and long-term survival of transplanted EC were achieved, paving the way for advanced tissue engineering applications.
