Engineering of microscale vascularized fat that responds to perfusion with lipoactive hormones

Biofabrication. 2018 Oct 30;11(1):014101. doi: 10.1088/1758-5090/aae5fe.

Abstract

Current methods to treat large soft-tissue defects mainly rely on autologous transfer of adipocutaneous flaps, a method that is often limited by donor site availability. Engineered vascularized adipose tissues can potentially be a viable and readily accessible substitute to autologous flaps. In this study, we engineered a small-scale adipose tissue with pre-patterned vasculature that enables immediate perfusion. Vessels formed after one day of perfusion and displayed barrier function after three days of perfusion. Under constant perfusion, adipose tissues remained viable and responded to lipoactive hormones insulin and epinephrine with lipid accumulation and loss, respectively. Adipocyte growth correlated inversely with distance away from the feeding vessel, as predicted by a Krogh-type model.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology
  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / blood supply*
  • Adipose Tissue / growth & development
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epinephrine / metabolism*
  • Hormones / chemistry
  • Hormones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microvessels / growth & development*
  • Microvessels / metabolism
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Perfusion
  • Tissue Engineering / instrumentation
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Hormones
  • Insulin
  • Epinephrine