Biocompatibility, Tissue Integration, and Angiogenic Potential of Polylactic Acid-Based Scaffolds in the Chicken...

The use of stem cells for the treatment of chronic wounds and burns is a promising trend in regenerative medicine. The efficacy of this approach largely depends on the cell delivery strategy. It is established that the use of polymeric scaffolds as cell carriers can, under certain conditions, facilitate integration of the graft into the host tissues and induce angiogenesis. We demonstrated that porous polylactide scaffolds induce pronounced perifocal vascularization with a minimal inflammatory response and the absence of fibrosis in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Composite PLA/PCL structures additionally provide partial vascular ingrowth into the scaffold. At the same time, smooth PLA fibers demonstrated limited pro-angiogenic activity and induced perifocal fibrosis. Thus, matrix architecture is a crucial determinant of pro-angiogenic and general tissue responses, while porous scaffolds seem to be the most suitable for cell therapy of chronic wounds and burns.