Engineering a Hierarchical Biphasic Gel for Subcutaneous Vascularization. Issue 19 (11th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Daqian; Ernst, Alexander U.; Wang, Xi; Wang, Longhai; Liu, Wanjun; Ma, Minglin
• Is Part Of: Advanced healthcare materials. Volume 11:Issue 19(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-08-11
• Subjects: aerogels -- angiogenesis -- hydrogels -- hierarchical structures -- vascularization; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-2640

Abstract

Abstract: Implanted cell‐containing grafts require a robust and functional vasculature to supply oxygen and nutrients, as well as clear metabolic waste products. However, it remains challenging to fabricate tunable, vascular‐promoting scaffolds without incorporating additional biologics. Here, a biphasic gel consisting of a highly porous aerogel and a degradable fibrin hydrogel for inducing vascularization is presented. The highly porous (>90%) and stable aerogel is assembled from short microfibers by being dispersed in an aqueous solution that can be 3D printed into various configurations. The biphasic gel demonstrates good compression‐resistance: 70.30% Young's modulus is recovered over 20 cycles of 65% compression under water. Furthermore, it is confirmed that tissue cells and blood vessels can penetrate a thick (≈3 mm) biphasic gel in the subcutaneous space of mice. Finally, the biphasic gel doubles the vascular ingrowth compared to a composite of a commercial surgical polyester felt and a fibrin hydrogel upon subcutaneous implantation in mice after 4 weeks. The design of this biphasic gel may advance the development of vascularized scaffolds. Abstract : A highly porous and stable aerogel is assembled from short microfibers by being dispersed in an aqueous solution that can be 3D printed into various configurations. After composited with fibrin hydrogel, this biphasic gel doubles the vascular ingrowth compared to a composite of a commercial surgical polyester felt and a fibrin hydrogel upon subcutaneous implantation in mice after 4 weeks.