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Vasculogenic potential evaluation of bottom-up, PCL scaffolds guiding early angiogenesis in tissue regeneration

  • Tissue Engineering Constructs and Cell Substrates
  • Original Research
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Abstract

Vascularization is a key factor in the successful integration of tissue engineered (TE) grafts inside the host body. Biological functions of the newly formed tissue depend, in fact, on a reliable and fast spread of the vascular network inside the scaffold. In this study, we propose a technique for evaluating vascularization in TE constructs assembled by a bottom-up approach. The rational, ordered assembly of building blocks (BBs) into a 3D scaffold can improve vessel penetration, and—unlike most current technologies—is compatible with the insertion of different elements that can be designed independently (e.g. structural units, growth factor depots etc.). Poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds composed of orderly and randomly assembled sintered microspheres were used to assess the degree of vascularization in a pilot in vivo study. Scaffolds were implanted in a rat subcutaneous pocket model, and retrieved after 7 days. We introduce three quantitative factors as a measure of vascularization: the total percentage of vascularization, the vessels diameter distribution and the vascular penetration depth. These parameters were derived by image analysis of microcomputed tomographic scans of biological specimens perfused with a radiopaque polymer. The outcome of this study suggests that the rational assembly of BBs helps the onset and organization of a fully functional vascular network.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the staff of the Center of Biotechnologies of the A.O.R.N. “A. Cardarelli” for the kind support.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Health Care, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 80125, Naples, Italy

      L. Rossi, C. Attanasio, E. Vilardi, M. De Gregorio & P. A. Netti

    2. Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy

      M. De Gregorio

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    1. L. Rossi
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    Correspondence to L. Rossi.

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    All animal experiments were performed in accordance with the Directive 2010/63/EU.

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    L. Rossi and C. Attanasio have contributed equally to this work.

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    Rossi, L., Attanasio, C., Vilardi, E. et al. Vasculogenic potential evaluation of bottom-up, PCL scaffolds guiding early angiogenesis in tissue regeneration. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 27, 107 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-016-5720-7

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