Subnormothermic short-term cultivation improves the vascularization capacity of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments

Long-term and short-term preservation strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine products: state of the art and emerging trends

There is an ever-growing need of human tissues and organs for transplantation. However, the availability of such tissues and organs is insufficient by a large margin, which is a huge medical and societal problem. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) represent potential solutions to this issue and have therefore been attracting increased interest from researchers and clinicians alike. But the successful large-scale clinical deployment of TERM products critically depends on the development of efficient preservation methodologies. The existing preservation approaches such as slow freezing, vitrification, dry state preservation, and hypothermic and normothermic storage all have issues that somehow limit the biomedical applications of TERM products. In this review, the principles and application of these approaches will be summarized, highlighting their advantages and limitations in the context of TERM products preservation.

Microvascular fragments in microcirculation research and regenerative medicine

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.

Actually Seeing What Is Going on - Intravital Microscopy in Tissue Engineering

Intravital microscopy (IVM) study approach offers several advantages over in vitro, ex vivo, and 3D models. IVM provides real-time imaging of cellular events, which provides us a comprehensive picture of dynamic processes. Rapid improvement in microscopy techniques has permitted deep tissue imaging at a higher resolution. Advances in fluorescence tagging methods enable tracking of specific cell types. Moreover, IVM can serve as an important tool to study different stages of tissue regeneration processes. Furthermore, the compatibility of different tissue engineered constructs can be analyzed. IVM is also a promising approach to investigate host reactions on implanted biomaterials. IVM can provide instant feedback for improvising tissue engineering strategies. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the requirements and applications of different IVM approaches. First, we will discuss the history of IVM development, and then we will provide an overview of available optical modalities including the pros and cons. Later, we will summarize different fluorescence labeling methods. In the final section, we will discuss well-established chronic and acute IVM models for different organs.

Microvascular Fragments: More Than Just Natural Vascularization Units

Adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments serve as natural vascularization units in angiogenesis research and tissue engineering due to their ability to rapidly reassemble into microvascular networks. Recent studies indicate that they exhibit additional unique properties that may be beneficial for a wide range of future biomedical applications. Their angiogenic activity can be increased during short-term cultivation as a means of adapting their vascularization capacity to patient-specific needs. Moreover, they are a source of endothelial progenitor cells, multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, and lymphatic vessel fragments. Finally, they exert immunomodulatory effects, determining the tissue integration of implanted biomaterials. Hence, microvascular fragments represent versatile building blocks for the improvement of vascularization, organotypic tissue formation, lymphatic regeneration, and implant integration.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulates the angiogenic activity of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments

Angiogenesis in adipose tissue is promoted by insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling. We analyzed whether this regulatory mechanism also improves the angiogenic activity of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments. Murine adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments were cultivated for 24 h in the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution supplemented with vehicle, insulin-like growth factor 1, or a combination of insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4. Subsequently, we assessed their cellular composition, viability, proliferation, and growth factor expression. Moreover, cultivated adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments were seeded onto collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds, which were implanted into dorsal skinfold chambers to study their vascularization and incorporation. Insulin-like growth factor 1 increased the viability and growth factor expression of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments without affecting their cellular composition and proliferation. Accordingly, scaffolds containing insulin-like growth factor 1-stimulated adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments exhibited an enhanced in vivo vascularization and incorporation. These positive insulin-like growth factor 1 effects were reversed by additional exposure of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments to insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4. Our findings indicate that insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulation of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments is suitable to improve their vascularization capacity.

University of Wisconsin solution for the xeno-free storage of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments

Aim: Adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments (ad-MVF) are vascularization units for regenerative medicine. We investigated whether University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is suitable for their xeno-free storage. Materials & methods: Murine ad-MVF were cultivated for 24 h in 4°C or 20°C UW solution and 20°C endothelial cell growth medium (control). The ad-MVF were seeded onto collagen–glycosaminoglycan scaffolds, which were analyzed in dorsal skinfold chambers by intravital fluorescence microscopy and histology. Results: All implants exhibited microvascular networks on day 14 with the highest functional microvessel density in controls. Ad-MVF cultivation in UW solution at 4°C resulted in an improved scaffold vascularization compared with cultivation at 20°C. Conclusion: UW solution is suitable for the hypothermic storage of ad-MVF.