Principals of neovascularization for tissue engineering

Mol Aspects Med. 2002 Dec;23(6):463-83. doi: 10.1016/s0098-2997(02)00008-0.

Abstract

The goals in tissue engineering include the replacement of damaged, injured or missing body tissues with biological compatible substitutes such as bioengineered tissues. However, due to an initial mass loss after implantation, improved vascularization of the regenerated tissue is essential. Recent advances in understanding the process of blood vessel growth has offered significant tools for therapeutic neovascularization. Several angiogenic growth factors including vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were used for vascularization of ischemic tissues. Three approaches have been used for vascularization of bioengineered tissue: incorporation of angiogenic factors in the bioengineered tissue, seeding endothelial cells with other cell types and prevascularization of matrices prior to cell seeding. This paper reviews the process of blood vessel growth and tissue vascularization, and discuss strategies for efficient vascularization of engineered tissues.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / physiology
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology
  • Ischemia / therapy
  • Lymphokines / physiology
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lymphokines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2