A Calcium Silicate-derived Silicate Ion Solution Improves Fat Graft Retention and Promotes Angiogenesis: An...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials science
• Regenerative medicine
• Tissue engineering

Background:

• Autologous fat grafting success is limited by poor vascularization, causing necrosis and unpredictable retention.
• Existing pro-angiogenic methods are complex and costly.
• Calcium silicate (CS) shows potential for vascular regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• Determine optimal silicate ion concentration for human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) function.
• Evaluate CS efficacy and mechanism in improving fat graft survival in vivo.

Main Methods:

• In vitro: Assessed CS silicate ion solution effects on HUVEC viability, proliferation, migration, tube formation, and VEGF expression.
• In vivo: Utilized a nude mouse fat grafting model to evaluate graft retention, morphology, vascular density (CD31), apoptosis, and HIF-1α/VEGF expression.

Main Results:

• CS-derived silicate ion solution promoted HUVEC migration, tube formation, and VEGF expression at biocompatible concentrations.
• In vivo, CS group showed significantly higher graft retention (58.18%) vs. Control (41.30%).
• Histology revealed improved graft integrity, reduced fibrosis, enhanced angiogenesis, and decreased apoptosis in the CS group.

Conclusions:

• CS-derived silicate ion solution enhances early angiogenesis and improves long-term fat graft volume retention.
• The mechanism involves activating VEGF-related pathways.
• This strategy offers a simple, effective solution for improving fat graft vascularization.