title: Vascularization--the conduit to viable engineered tissues.
abstract: Long-term viability of thick three-dimensional engineered tissue constructs is a major challenge. Addressing it requires development of vessel-like network that will allow the survival of the construct in vitro and its integration in vivo owing to improved vascularization after implantation. Resulting from work of various research groups, several approaches were developed aiming engineered tissue vascularization: (1) embodiment of angiogenesis growth factors in the polymeric scaffolds for prolonged release, (2) coculture of endothelial cells with target tissue cells and angiogenesis signaling cells, (3) use of microfabrication methods for creating designed channels for allowing nutrients to flow and/or for directing endothelial cells attachment, and (4) decellularization of organs and blood vessels for creating extracellular matrix. A synergistic effect is expected by combining several of these approaches as already demonstrated in some of the latest studies. Current paper reviews the progress in each approach and recent achievements toward vascularization of engineered tissues.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaully
authors.forename: Keren
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaufman-Francis
authors.forename: Ayelet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lesman
authors.forename: Shulamit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Levenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins