title: Vascularization strategies for tissue engineers.
abstract: All tissue-engineered substitutes (with the exception of cornea and cartilage) require a vascular network to provide the nutrient and oxygen supply needed for their survival in vivo. Unfortunately the process of vascular ingrowth into an engineered tissue can take weeks to occur naturally and during this time the tissues become starved of essential nutrients, leading to tissue death. This review initially gives a brief overview of the processes and factors involved in the formation of new vasculature. It then summarizes the different approaches that are being applied or developed to overcome the issue of slow neovascularization in a range of tissue-engineered substitutes. Some potential future strategies are then discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, North Campus, University of Sheffield, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dew
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacNeil
authors.forename: Chuh Khiun
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016023:Integrins
keywords: angiogenesis; blood vessels; clinical application; neovascularization; regenerative medicine; tissue engineering