The effect of scaffold macroporosity on angiogenesis and cell survival in tissue-engineered smooth muscle

Christopher M Walthers; Alireza K Nazemi; Shilpy L Patel; Benjamin M Wu; James C Y Dunn

doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.03.025

The effect of scaffold macroporosity on angiogenesis and cell survival in tissue-engineered smooth muscle

Biomaterials. 2014 Jun;35(19):5129-37. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.03.025. Epub 2014 Mar 30.

Authors

Christopher M Walthers¹, Alireza K Nazemi¹, Shilpy L Patel¹, Benjamin M Wu², James C Y Dunn³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
² Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Advanced Prosthodontics, Biomaterials, and Hospital Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
³ Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: jdunn@mednet.ucla.edu.

Abstract

Angiogenesis and survival of cells within thick scaffolds is a major concern in tissue engineering. The purpose of this study is to increase the survival of intestinal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in implanted tissue-engineered constructs. We incorporated 250-μm pores in multi-layered, electrospun scaffolds with a macroporosity ranging from 15% to 25% to facilitate angiogenesis. The survival of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing SMCs was evaluated after 2 weeks of implantation. Whereas host cellular infiltration was similar in scaffolds with different macroporosities, blood vessel development increased with increasing macroporosity. Scaffolds with 25% macropores had the most GFP-expressing SMCs, which correlated with the highest degree of angiogenesis over 1 mm away from the outermost layer. The 25% macroporous group exceeded a critical threshold of macropore connectivity, accelerating angiogenesis and improving implanted cell survival in a tissue-engineered smooth muscle construct.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Polycaprolactone; Porosity; Smooth muscle constructs; Tissue engineering.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Survival / drug effects
Cells, Cultured
Immunohistochemistry
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology*
Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
Polyesters / chemistry
Polyesters / pharmacology
Porosity
Rats
Tissue Engineering / methods
Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

Polyesters
polycaprolactone

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding