Endothelial cell colonization and angiogenic potential of combined nano- and micro-fibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Santos, MI (Author) Other; Tuzlakoglu, K (Author) Other; Fuchs, S (Author) Other; Gomes, ME (Author) Other; Peters, K (Author) Other; Unger, RE (Author) Other; Piskin, E (Author) Other; Rui Reis (Author) Other; Kirkpatrick, CJ (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biomaterials

Vol. 29

Pages: 4306-4313

ISSN: 0142-9612

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 151 Citations

Scopus - 171 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-V0C

DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.07.033

Abstract (EN): Presently the majority of tissue engineering approaches aimed at regenerating bone relies only on post-implantation vascularization. Strategies that include seeding endothelial cells (ECs) on biomaterials and promoting their adhesion, migration and functionality might be a solution for the formation of vascularized bone. Nano/micro-fiber-combined scaffolds have an innovative structure, inspired by extracellular matrix (ECM) that combines a nano-network, aimed to promote cell adhesion, with a micro-fiber mesh that provides the mechanical support. In this work we addressed the influence of this nano-network on growth pattern, morphology, inflammatory expression profile, expression of structural proteins, homotypic interactions and angiogenic potential of human EC cultured on a scaffold made of a blend of starch and poly(caprolactone). The nano-network allowed cells to span between individual micro-fibers and influenced cell morphology. Furthermore, on nano-fibers as well as on micro-fibers ECs maintained the physiological expression pattern of the structural protein vimentin and PECAM-1 between adjacent cells. In addition, ECs growing on the nano/micro-fiber-combined scaffold were sensitive to pro-inflammatory stimulus. Under pro-angiogenic conditions in vitro, the ECM-like nano-network provided the structural and organizational stability for ECs' migration and organization into capillary-like structures. The architecture of nano/micro-fiber-combined scaffolds elicited and guided the 3D distribution of ECs without compromising the structural requirements for bone regeneration.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8