Abstract
Biofunctionalized polyethylene glycol maleimide (PEG-MAL) hydrogels were engineered as a platform to deliver pancreatic islets to the small bowel mesentery and promote graft vascularization. VEGF, a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, was incorporated into the hydrogel to be released in an on-demand manner through enzymatic degradation. PEG-MAL hydrogel enabled extended in vivo release of VEGF. Isolated rat islets encapsulated in PEG-MAL hydrogels remained viable in culture and secreted insulin. Islets encapsulated in PEG-MAL matrix and transplanted to the small bowel mesentery of healthy rats grafted to the host tissue and revascularized by 4 weeks. Addition of VEGF release to the PEG-MAL matrix greatly augmented the vascularization response. These results establish PEG-MAL engineered matrices as a vascular-inductive cell delivery vehicle and warrant their further investigation as islet transplantation vehicles in diabetic animal models.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Alginates / chemistry
-
Animals
-
Collagen / chemistry
-
Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
-
Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
-
Hydrogels / administration & dosage*
-
Hydrogels / chemistry
-
Intestine, Small / blood supply
-
Intestine, Small / drug effects
-
Intestine, Small / physiology
-
Islets of Langerhans / blood supply
-
Islets of Langerhans / drug effects*
-
Islets of Langerhans / physiology
-
Islets of Langerhans Transplantation
-
Male
-
Maleimides / chemistry*
-
Mesentery / drug effects
-
Mesentery / physiology
-
Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
-
Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
-
Rats, Inbred Lew
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / administration & dosage*
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / chemistry
Substances
-
Alginates
-
Hexuronic Acids
-
Hydrogels
-
Maleimides
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
-
maleimide
-
Polyethylene Glycols
-
Glucuronic Acid
-
Collagen