Adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments (MVF) are functional vessel segments, which rapidly reassemble into new microvasculatures under experimental in vitro and in vivo conditions. Accordingly, they have been used for many years in microcirculation research to study basic mechanisms of endothelial cell function, angiogenesis, and microvascular network formation in two- and three-dimensional environments. Moreover, they serve as vascularization units for musculoskeletal regeneration and implanted biomaterials as well as for the treatment of myocardial infarction and the generation of prevascularized tissue organoids. Besides, multiple factors determining the vascularization capacity of MVF have been identified, including their tissue origin and cellular composition, the conditions for their short- and long-term storage, as well as their implantation site and the general health status and medication of the recipient. The next challenging step is now the successful translation of all these promising experimental findings into clinical practice. If this succeeds, a multitude of future therapeutic applications may significantly benefit from the remarkable properties of MVF. Impact Statement The present review provides a complete overview of the broad application spectrum of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments (MVF) in angiogenesis research and regenerative medicine. Moreover, it systematically describes factors determining their vascularization capacity. These factors may be used to further improve the remarkable properties of MVF in personalized medicine and to promote their rapid introduction as vascularization units into clinical practice.
Keywords: angiogenesis; biomaterials; microvascular fragments; organoids; scaffolds; tissue engineering.