Bioengineering strategies to generate vascularized soft tissue grafts with sustained shape

Methods. 2009 Feb;47(2):116-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2008.10.013. Epub 2008 Oct 24.

Abstract

Tissue engineering offers the possibility for soft tissue reconstruction and augmentation without autologous grafting or conventional synthetic materials. Two critical challenges have been addressed in a number of recent studies: a biology challenge of angiogenesis and an engineering challenge of shape maintenance. These two challenges are inter-related and are effectively addressed by integrated bioengineering strategies. Recently, several integrated bioengineering strategies have been applied to improve bioengineered adipose tissue grafts, including internalized microchannels, delivery of angiogenic growth factors, tailored biomaterials and transplantation of precursor cells with continuing differentiation potential. Bioengineered soft tissue grafts are only clinically meaningful if they are vascularized, maintain shape and dimensions, and remodel with the host. Ongoing studies have begun to demonstrate the feasibility towards an ultimate goal to generate vascularized soft tissue grafts that maintain anatomically desirable shape and dimensions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue* / blood supply
  • Adipose Tissue* / transplantation
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / therapeutic use
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / methods
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Polyethylene Glycols