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Isolation of Murine Adipose Tissue-derived Microvascular Fragments as Vascularization Units for Tissue Engineering
Published on: April 30, 2017
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Small Diameter Blood Vessels Bioengineered From Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells.
Renpeng Zhou1, Lei Zhu2, Shibo Fu1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai, 200011 P.R. China.
Scientific Reports
|October 15, 2016
Summary
Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were used to engineer small-diameter blood vessels. These bioengineered vessels show biomechanical properties similar to human saphenous veins, offering a promising solution for vascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Coronary artery and peripheral vascular diseases cause significant morbidity.
- Small-diameter blood vessel bioengineering is crucial for treating these conditions.
- Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) are a potential source for vascular cell generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a two-layered small-diameter blood vessel using hASCs.
- To differentiate hASCs into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs).
- To evaluate the biomechanical properties of the engineered blood vessels.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL)-gelatin mesh seeded with hASC-derived SMCs for the outer layer.
- Rolled the SMC layer around a silicone tube under pulsatile stimulation.
- Lined the SMC layer with hASC-derived ECs differentiated using VEGF, BMP4, and hypoxia.
- Assessed cell phenotype, scaffold cytotoxicity, and biomechanical properties.
Main Results:
- Successfully differentiated hASCs into functional SMCs and ECs.
- The two-layered bioengineered vessels demonstrated biomechanical properties comparable to human saphenous veins (HSV).
- The PCL-gelatin scaffold showed no significant cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- hASCs can be effectively differentiated into SMCs and ECs for vascular tissue engineering.
- The developed two-layered bioengineered blood vessels show promise for clinical applications in treating vascular diseases.
- This approach offers a viable strategy for creating functional small-diameter vascular grafts.

