Methods for Assessing Scaffold Vascularization with Human Endothelial Cells

The success of tissue engineering relies heavily on the efficient and rapid formation of blood vessels in the newly engineered tissues. To achieve this, it is crucial to use scaffolds that not only support the survival of vascular cells but also facilitate the development and maturation of a capillary network in vivo. Utilizing advanced biomaterials and scaffold designs is essential to ensure that the engineered tissues can integrate effectively with the host tissues and maintain their functionality over time. Here, we present a method for generating endothelial cells from induced pluripotent stem cells and pre-vascularizing scaffolds by seeding them with endothelial cells in a 3D porous structure. These pre-vascularized scaffolds can then be implanted in a rat subcutaneous model to create vascularized tissue constructs. This approach holds great promise for generating clinically viable constructs that can be used in regenerative medicine and drug development.