Local Delivery of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor via Nanofiber Matrix Improves Liver Regeneration After Extensive Hepatectomy in Rats

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent regulator for liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy. However, intravenous delivery of VEGF has yielded limited success in promoting the regeneration of remnant liver. Here we report a new approach to locally deliver recombinant VEGF from an electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone nanofiber mesh and its effect on improving rat liver regeneration after 70% hepatectomy. After applying the VEGF-releasing nanofiber mesh to the remnant liver lobes following hepatectomy in rats, the fractions of proliferating hepatocytes increased markedly at 48 h and 72 h in comparison with the control group receiving nanofiber meshes without VEGF. The expression of endogenous VEGF in liver tissue was also higher in the VEGF-nanofiber group than those in the control group. These results demonstrate that biodegradable nanofiber meshes offer a convenient and effective approach for local and sustained delivery of VEGF to the remnant liver following partial hepatectomy.