title: Engineered VEGF-releasing PEG-MAL hydrogel for pancreatic islet vascularization.
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.
authors: Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
authors: Edward A
authors: EA
authors: Phelps
authors: Kellie L
authors: KL
authors: Templeman
authors: Peter M
authors: PM
authors: Thulé
authors: Andrés J
authors: AJ
authors: García
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008301:Maleimides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008643:Mesentery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020100:Hydrogels; D008301:Maleimides; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C043592:maleimide; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D003094:Collagen