Angiogenic biomarkers and healing of living cellular constructs

The use of intra-oral soft-tissue-engineered devices has demonstrated potential for oral mucosa regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal expression of angiogenic biomarkers during wound healing of soft tissue reconstructive procedures comparing living cellular constructs (LCC) with autogenous free gingival grafts. Forty-four human participants bilaterally lacking sufficient zones of attached keratinized gingiva were randomly assigned to soft tissue surgery plus either LCC or autograft. Wound fluid samples were collected at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 post-operatively and analyzed for a panel of angiogenic biomarkers: angiogenin (ANG), angiostatin (ANT), PDGF-BB, VEGF, FGF-2, IL-8, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, GM-CSF, and IP-10. Results demonstrated a significant increase in expression of ANT, PDGF-BB, VEGF, FGF-2, and IL-8 for the LCC group over the autograft group at the early stages of wound repair. Although angiogenic biomarkers were modestly elevated for the LCC group, no clinical correlation with wound healing was found. This human investigation demonstrates that, during early wound-healing events, expression of angiogenic-related biomarkers is up-regulated in sites treated with LCC compared with autogenous free gingival grafts, which may provide a safe and effective alternative for regenerating intra-oral soft tissues (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01134081).