A Promise for Vascularization in Implanted Tissues?

Implanted tissues require vasculature in order to maintain physiological functioning, including gas exchange. Implant tissue death can occur if blood vessels fail to form in implanted tissues. When native tissues need nutrients and waste disposal, they begin to produce Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which induces biochemical processes that form vessels from the walls of existing vessels. This restores tissues to the level of oxygen they require. To make this process work for implanted tissues, researchers at Wake Forest University have recently developed an injectable collagen-based gel containing the chemical messenger VEGF. Vessel formation in implanted tissues is targeted by injecting tiny concentrations of the gel into the isolated, desired area over a period of 12 days. This prepares the area to have an amount of vasculature that will support implanted tissue, increasing the chances of the implant surviving. Further research is underway to extend the period of VEGF release to ensure vessel development in the implanted tissue. Extended release of the gel is possible because its collagen matrix traps water, and could also possible be loaded with other chemicals such as VEGF. The matrix porousity could even be manipulated to control the release of the chemical. As published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the gel has shown promising results in small animal trials. This gel would be an important contribution to tissue engineering because it would further increase the similarity of the tissue to that of native tissue. It promises the essential function of providing vasculature to non-native, implanted tissues.

Article: Injectable Gel Promotes Vascularization in Implanted Tissues