Pro-vasculogenic Fibers by PDA-Mediated Surface Functionalization Using Cell-Free Fat Extract (CEFFE)

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Vascularization of engineered tissues is critical for successful regeneration but remains a significant challenge.
• Functionalizing biomaterial scaffolds with bioactive agents aims to mimic in vivo angiogenic processes.
• Developing pro-vasculogenic biomaterials is essential for advancing tissue regeneration therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer pro-vasculogenic electrospun fibers by functionalizing polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GT) with cell-free fat extract (FE).
• To create FE-PDA@PCL/GT fibers using polydopamine (PDA) for efficient and sustained FE immobilization.
• To evaluate the potential of these engineered fibers for vascularized tissue regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of PCL/GT fibers followed by PDA coating and FE immobilization.
• Assessment of FE loading efficiency and sustained release kinetics.
• In vitro evaluation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (hUVEC) responses (proliferation, migration, gene/protein expression).
• In vivo assessment of vascularization using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and a rat subcutaneous implantation model.

Main Results:

• FE-PDA@PCL/GT fibers demonstrated high FE loading (∼90%) and sustained release.
• Enhanced cytocompatibility, proliferation, migration, and expression of vascular markers (CD31, vWF, VE-cadherin) in hUVECs.
• Significant stimulation of in vitro tube formation, in ovo microvascular development, and in vivo vascularization in 3D constructs.
• FE-PDA@PCL/GT fibers significantly promoted vascularization in vivo.

Conclusions:

• The engineered FE-PDA@PCL/GT fibers exhibit excellent pro-vasculogenic properties.
• This functionalized fiber platform offers a promising strategy for creating vascularized tissue constructs.
• The study highlights a versatile approach for biomaterial-based tissue regeneration requiring robust vascular networks.