Vascularization of engineered cartilage constructs in a mouse model

Abstract

Tissue engineering of cartilage tissue offers a promising method for reconstructing ear, nose, larynx and trachea defects. However, a lack of sufficient nutrient supply to cartilage constructs limits this procedure. Only a few animal models exist to vascularize the seeded scaffolds. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)-based polyurethane scaffolds are seeded with 1 × 10(6) human cartilage cells and implanted in the right hind leg of a nude mouse using an arteriovenous flow-through vessel loop for angiogenesis for the first 3 weeks. Equally seeded scaffolds but without access to a vessel loop served as controls. After 3 weeks, a transposition of the vascularized scaffolds into the groin of the nude mouse was performed. Constructs (verum and controls) were explanted 1 and 6 weeks after transposition. Constructs with implanted vessels were well vascularized. The amount of cells increased in vascularized constructs compared to the controls but at the same time noticeably less extracellular matrix was produced. This mouse model provides critical answers to important questions concerning the vascularization of engineered tissue, which offers a viable option for repairing defects, especially when the desired amount of autologous cartilage or other tissues is not available and the nutritive situation at the implantation site is poor.

Tissue engineering applications in otolaryngology—The state of translation

“…Heatmap representing the proportion of publications by year that utilized specific translational research methodologies from construct characterization to human trial to investigate nasal tissue engineering 8‐24,98‐106 …”

In vivo analysis of vascularization and biocompatibility of electrospun polycaprolactone fibre mats in the rat femur chamber

“…Different models for assessing the angiogenic and inflammatory reaction after the implantation of different materials have been established so far. Most of these models are performed using mice (Burghartz et al, ) or rats (Seyednejad et al, ) and are characterized by a final point at which the samples are examined. However, these end point models cannot generate any information regarding the changes in the vasculature over the time course of the experiment.…”

Uncultivated stromal vascular fraction is equivalent to adipose‐derived stem and stromal cells on porous polyurethrane scaffolds forming adipose tissue in vivo

“…As a vascularization strategy, an arteriovenous flow‐through bundle (Fig. C) was established as previously performed by our group, and kept in vivo for 5 weeks (Fig. A–C).…”

“…In this study, we have used TissuCol fibrin, which has previously been described as the ideal fibrin solution for SVF application in the delivery and seeding of ASCs or SVF cells onto porous, biodegradable polyurethane (PU) scaffolds . We have also been able to employ a well‐known scaffold and a well‐established vascularization technique involving an arteriovenous flow‐through bundle to provide a better comparison with previous studies and to utilize a well‐established precultivation strategy for both adipogenic and angiogenic precursor cells . The aim of this study was the transfer of gained knowledge from ASCs to SVF cells and to compare the respective cell lines with regard to their in vivo adipogenic and angiogenic potential.…”