Design of a composite biomaterial system for tissue engineering applications

Biomaterials that regulate vascularized tissue formation have the potential to contribute to new methods of tissue replacement and reconstruction. The goal of this study was to develop a porous, degradable tissue engineering scaffold that could deliver multiple growth factors and regulate vessel assembly within the porous structure of the material. Porous hydrogels of poly(ethylene glycol)-co-(L-lactic acid) (PEG-PLLA) were prepared via salt leaching. The degradation time of the hydrogels could be controlled between 1 and 7 weeks, based on hydrogel composition. Fibrin was incorporated into the interconnected pores of the hydrogels to promote neovascularization and as a reservoir for rapid (<5 days) growth factor delivery. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres were incorporated into the degradable polymeric hydrogel scaffold to allow sustained (>30 days) growth factor delivery. Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) were delivered from the system owing to their roles in the promotion of angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, respectively. Hydrogels tested in vivo with a subcutaneous implantation model were selected based on the results from in vitro degradation and growth factor release kinetics. Dual growth factor delivery promoted significantly more tissue ingrowth in the scaffold compared with blank or single growth factor delivery. The sequential delivery of FGF-1 following PDGF-BB promoted more persistent and mature blood vessels. In conclusion, a biomaterials system was developed to provide structural support for tissue regeneration, as well as delivery of growth factors that stimulate neovascularization within the structure prior to complete degradation.