Human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells in combination with exogenous stimuli facilitate three-dimensional network formation of human endothelial cells derived from various sources.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

In natural tissues, the nutrition of cells and removal of waste products is facilitated by a dense capillary network which is generated during development. This perfusion system is also indispensable for tissue formation in vitro. Nutrition depending solely on diffusion is not sufficient to generate tissues of clinically relevant dimensions, which is a core aim in tissue engineering research. In this study, the establishment of a vascular network was investigated in a self-assembling approach employing endothelial and mural cells. The process of vascularization was analyzed in constructs based on a carrier matrix of decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS). A three-dimensional hydrogel containing Matrigel™, collagen, and respective cells was casted on top of the SIS. Various types of human endothelial cells (hECs), e.g. HUVECs, cardiac tissue ECs (hCECs), pulmonary artery ECs (hPAECs), and iPSC-derived ECs, were co-cultured with human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hASCs) within the hydrogel. Analyzed hECs were able to self-assemble and form three-dimensional networks harboring small caliber lumens within the hydrogel constructs in the presence of hASCs as supporting cells. Additionally, microvessel assembling required exogenous growth factor supplementation. This study demonstrates the development of stable vascularized hydrogels applying hASCs as mural c

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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