CELLULAR STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE VASCULARISATION IN TISSUE ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Costa Almeida, R (Author) Other; Granja, PL (Author) FEUP; Soares, R (Author) FMUP; Guerreiro, SG (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Cells and Materials

Vol. 28

Pages: 51-67

ISSN: 1473-2262

Publisher: AO Research Institute Davos

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 46 Citations

Scopus - 52 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental biotechnology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-QK7

Abstract (EN): Vascularisation is considered to be one of the greatest challenges in tissue engineering. Different strategies exist but cell-based approaches have emerged as a promising therapy to achieve successful vascularisation. The use of endothelial cells to engineer vascularised tissues has been extensively investigated. This field of research has evolved with the discovery of endothelial progenitor cells, a subpopulation with a high regenerative potential. However, the survival of endothelial cell populations alone seems to be impaired. To overcome this problem, co-culture systems, involving supporting cells, like mural cells, fibroblasts, or more tissue-specific cells have been developed. Endothelial cells benefit from the extracellular matrix components and growth factors produced by the supporting cells, which results in neovessel stabilisation and maturation. The use of endothelial progenitor cells in co-culture systems appears to be a promising strategy to promote vascularisation in approaches of increasing complexity. Herein, the authors provide an overview of the cellular strategies that can be used for increasing vascularisation in tissue engineering and regeneration.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17