Hierarchically vascularized and suturable tissue constructs created through angiogenesis from tissue-engineered...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Limited vascularization hinders clinical application of engineered tissues.
• Rapid integration with host circulation is crucial for tissue viability and function post-implantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel solution for vascularizing engineered tissues to enable survival and function of large, transplantable constructs.
• To develop a suturable tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) that promotes vascularization through angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a TEVG from electrospun polycaprolactone with macropores, surrounded by a cell-laden gelatin-methacryloyl hydrogel.
• Utilizing the TEVG's pores to facilitate angiogenesis and vascular network formation within the hydrogel.
• Assessing the construct's suturability and mechanical properties in comparison to native vessels.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated successful vascularization of the hydrogel via angiogenesis originating from the TEVG.
• Developed constructs that are suturable and possess mechanical properties similar to native blood vessels.
• Showcased the potential to scale up construct size and vascularization by incorporating multiple TEVGs.

Conclusions:

• The developed technique provides a viable method for creating pre-vascularized, suturable engineered tissues.
• This approach addresses a critical challenge in tissue engineering, potentially improving the clinical success of engineered tissues.
• The engineered tissues can be surgically connected to host vessels for immediate perfusion and survival in vivo.