The effect of scaffold macroporosity on angiogenesis and cell survival in tissue-engineered smooth muscle.
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.
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Christopher M
CM
Walthers
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Alireza K
AK
Nazemi
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Shilpy L
SL
Patel
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.
Benjamin M
BM
Wu
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.
James C Y
JC
Dunn
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D016062:Porosity; D051381:Rats; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone
Angiogenesis; Polycaprolactone; Porosity; Smooth muscle constructs; Tissue engineering