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Published on: August 28, 2014
Efficient in vivo vascularization of tissue-engineering scaffolds
Anja Hegen1, Anna Blois, Crina E Tiron
1Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, N-5009 Bergen, Norway.
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
|September 25, 2010
Summary
Providing all necessary blood vessel components significantly enhances microvessel self-assembly and functional vascularization within tissue engineering scaffolds. This self-assembly process is crucial for successful tissue regeneration and integration with host circulation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Successful tissue engineering requires rapid and efficient formation of functional blood vasculature.
- Adult blood vessels consist of endothelial cells and perivascular mural cells that form patent tubules during angiogenesis.
- Understanding the self-assembly of microvessels within engineered constructs is vital for clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the efficiency of intra-scaffold microvessel self-assembly using individual vessel components in an in vivo tissue engineering context.
- To evaluate the impact of different ratios of endothelial and mural cells on vascularization.
- To assess the anastomosis and perfusion of newly formed microvessels with the host circulation.
Main Methods:
- Primary human microvascular endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells were seeded in poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds enriched with basement membrane proteins (Matrigel).
- Scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously into immunocompromised mice.
- Temporal microvessel formation, anastomosis, and perfusion were monitored using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and in vivo multiphoton fluorescence microscopy.
Main Results:
- Implants seeded with both endothelial and smooth muscle cells showed significantly enhanced vascularization.
- A patent microvasculature self-assembled within scaffolds and anastomosed with the host circulation within the first week.
- Multiphoton fluorescence angiography revealed a uniform, branched microvascular network, with smooth muscle cells localizing perivascularly.
Conclusions:
- Efficient microvessel self-assembly, anastomosis, and functional vascularization in vivo are promoted by providing a complete set of vascular components.
- The study demonstrates a viable strategy for creating functional vascular networks within tissue engineering scaffolds.
- This finding has significant implications for advancing regenerative medicine and treating ischemic diseases.
