VEGF release from a polymeric nanofiber scaffold for improved angiogenesis

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This study aimed to develop an electrospun fiber scaffold that supports release of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) to enhance angiogenesis. Scaffolds composed of core-shell fibers were fabricated using co-electrospinning. The core solution was composed of polyethylene oxide and mixed with rhVEGF. The shell solution was composed of polycarpolactone, with 0.25, 1, and 3% of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to manipulate pore size on the shell. Pore size and density increased with higher PEG concentrations. Similarly, rhVEGF release was affected by PEG concentration: initial burst release was found in all scaffolds, followed by continuous 4 h release in 3% PEG and 18 h release in the 0.25 and 1% PEG polymeric scaffolds. Endothelial cell migration toward rhVEGF-incorporated polymeric scaffold was 80-fold higher as compared to VEGF-free polymeric scaffold. In a subcutaneous mouse model, VEGF-incorporated polymeric scaffold stimulated cell migration into the scaffold within three days and significantly enhanced blood vessels formation within 14 days, whereas control scaffolds contained few vessels. In conclusion, the described novel scaffold represents a promising device for vascular tissue engineering, which may be of clinical significance in treating vascular deficient wounds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2712-2721, 2017.

Argon plasma modified nanocomposite polyurethane scaffolds provide an alternative strategy for cartilage tissue engineering

“…At 6 weeks all scaffolds shown minimal vessel formation but by 12 weeks Ar scaffolds allowed for greater vessel ingrowth compared to Medpor. The VEGF growth factor is known to induce pathways responsible for vessel formation [43]. The HDFs on Ar scaffolds demonstrated increased levels of VEGF secretion as well as mRNA expression of VEGF in vitro compared to Medpor, which may have allowed for greater vascularisation in vivo.…”

Electrospun Nanofibers for Improved Angiogenesis: Promises for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…Encapsulation of pro-angiogenic growth factors into electrospun nanofibers is an effective and direct strategy to promote angiogenesis in different physiological and pathological conditions. To date, a large number of experimental studies have successfully encapsulated pro-angiogenic growth factors (mainly VEGF) into nanofibrous mats by means of different techniques, such as coaxial electrospinning, to achieve sustained release profiles [ 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 ]. For example, in order to accelerate endothelialization along the lumen of graft, composite grafts were fabricated by co-electrospinning of chitosan hydrogel/polyethylene glycol (PEG)-b-poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) loaded with VEGF as the inner layer and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-loaded emulsion/PLCL nanofibers as the outer layer.…”

Potential core–shell designed scaffolds with a gelatin‐based shell in achieving controllable release rates of proteins for tissue engineering approaches

“…The process of protein emulsions preparation and the thermodynamic instability of emulsion arises challenges . Hence, coaxial electrospinning is considered as one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in the area of susceptible agents release …”

“…14,21 Hence, coaxial electrospinning is considered as one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in the area of susceptible agents release. [21][22][23][24] Correspondence to: M. Latifi; e-mail: latifi@aut.ac.ir or A. Hadjizadeh; e-mail: afra.hajizadeh@aut.ac.ir Coaxial electrospinning is a modified conventional electrospinning to produce micro/nanofibers with core-shell architecture. 25,26 In this process, at least two fluids are independently fed through a coaxial nozzle comprising inner/outer orifice and drawn to fabricate core-shell structured fibers.…”