Optimization of vascularisation in axially vascularised matrices in tissue engineering

Abstract

[english] Nowadays, autologous tissue transplantation represents the gold standard for the reconstruction of large tissue defects. To minimize the resulting donor side morbidity and to overcome the limitations regarding shape and volume of bone grafts research has focused on tissue engineering of axially vascularised tissue constructs. We have evaluated different strategies to improve the vascularisation of bioartificial transplantable tissue volumes. First we used angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF and bFGF in the subcutaneous and arteriovenous loop model in the rat to increase vessel ingrowth. Afterwards we combined the intrinsic vascular pathway of the arteriovenous loop model with an additional extrinsic vessel ingrowth by using a porous titanium chamber. Transplanted cells also showed an increased survival in the AV loop model compared to subcutaneously implanted matrices. In this manuscript we show the evolution of different newly developed methods to improve vascularisation of axially vascularised matrices in tissue engineering.

Keywords

• tissue engineering
• vascularisation
• growth factors
• VEGF
• bFGF
• AV loop model