Current and emerging vascularization strategies in skin tissue engineering. (4th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frueh, Florian S.; Menger, Michael D.; Lindenblatt, Nicole; Giovanoli, Pietro; Laschke, Matthias W.
• Is Part Of: Critical reviews in biotechnology. Volume 37:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 613
• Page End: 625
• Publication Date: 2017-07-04
• Subjects: Angiogenesis -- blood vessels -- dermal substitute -- endothelial cells -- mesenchymal stem cells -- scaffold modification -- skin defect; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Review Literature -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Industry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology; Review Literature; Public Health; Environment; Industry; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2016.1209157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-8551

Abstract

Abstract: Vascularization is a key process in skin tissue engineering, determining the biological function of artificial skin implants. Hence, efficient vascularization strategies are a major prerequisite for the safe application of these implants in clinical practice. Current approaches include (i) modification of structural and physicochemical properties of dermal scaffolds, (ii) biological scaffold activation with growth factor-releasing systems or gene vectors, and (iii) generation of prevascularized skin substitutes by seeding scaffolds with vessel-forming cells. These conventional approaches may be further supplemented by emerging strategies, such as transplantation of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments, 3D bioprinting and microfluidics, miRNA modulation, cell sheet engineering, and fabrication of photosynthetic scaffolds. The successful translation of these vascularization strategies from bench to bedside may pave the way for a broad clinical implementation of skin tissue engineering.