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(e-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.

Vasculogenic potential evaluation of bottom-up, PCL scaffolds guiding early angiogenesis in tissue regeneration / Rossi, L; Attanasio, C.; Vilardi, E.; De Gregorio, M.; Netti, PAOLO ANTONIO. - In: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE. - ISSN 0957-4530. - 27:6(2016), p. 107. [10.1007/s10856-016-5720-7]

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

Attanasio, C.;NETTI, PAOLO ANTONIO
2016

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(e-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.
2016
Vasculogenic potential evaluation of bottom-up, PCL scaffolds guiding early angiogenesis in tissue regeneration / Rossi, L; Attanasio, C.; Vilardi, E.; De Gregorio, M.; Netti, PAOLO ANTONIO. - In: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE. - ISSN 0957-4530. - 27:6(2016), p. 107. [10.1007/s10856-016-5720-7]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/642885
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