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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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A Straightforward Approach to Engineer Vascularized Adipose Tissue Using Microvascular Fragments
Francisca M Acosta1,2, Katerina Stojkova1, Eric M Brey1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|February 20, 2020
Summary
Microvascular fragments (MVFs) can be used to engineer vascularized adipose tissue. This approach overcomes limitations in current soft tissue defect treatments by promoting both vascularization and adipocyte formation from a single source.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Current treatments for soft tissue defects cause donor-site morbidity and volume loss.
- Existing bioactive constructs for adipose tissue regeneration lack vascularization and scalability.
- Microvascular fragments (MVFs) possess both angiogenic and adipogenic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer vascularized adipose tissue using MVFs as the sole source of cells and microvessels.
- To evaluate the potential of MVFs from different fat depots to form vascular networks and generate adipocytes.
- To assess the impact of pre-sprouting and adipogenic induction media on MVF-derived tissue formation.
Main Methods:
- MVFs from epididymal, inguinal, and subcutaneous fat depots were cultured in fibrin-based hydrogels.
- MVFs were exposed to growth media (GM) and adipogenic differentiation media (ADM), with and without pre-sprouting.
- Vascular network formation, lipid droplet accumulation, adipogenic gene expression, and lipolysis rates were analyzed.
Main Results:
- MVFs treated with ADM, with or without pre-sprouting, exhibited lipid droplet formation and increased adipogenesis gene expression (adiponectin, FAS).
- Pre-sprouted MVFs maintained vascular network formation while enhancing lipid content, adipogenic gene expression, and lipolysis.
- MVFs from various depots demonstrated potential for vascularized adipose tissue engineering.
Conclusions:
- MVFs can serve as the sole biological component for creating vascularized adipose tissue scaffolds.
- This strategy offers a promising approach for soft tissue reconstruction and understanding adipose tissue expansion.
- The ability of MVFs to self-vascularize and differentiate into adipocytes addresses key limitations in current regenerative therapies.
