Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference (한국고분자학회:학술대회논문집)

The Polymer Society of Korea (한국고분자학회)
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In vitro methods to study the vascularization of natural and synthetic biomedical polymers

  • Kirkpatrick C. James (Institute of Pathology, Johannes Gutenberg University) ;
  • Fuchs Sabine (Institute of Pathology, Johannes Gutenberg University) ;
  • Motta Antonella (Department of Materials Engineering, University of Trento) ;
  • Santos Marina (Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho) ;
  • Hermanns M. Iris (Institute of Pathology, Johannes Gutenberg University) ;
  • Unger Ronald E. (Institute of Pathology, Johannes Gutenberg University) ;
  • Reis Rui (Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho) ;
  • Migliaresi Claudio (Department of Materials Engineering, University of Trento)
  • Published : 2006.10.13
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Abstract

Vascularization is essential for success in regenerative medicine. We have developed in vitro models to study how human microvascular endothelial cells (EC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) colonize polymer scaffolds and express the endothelial phenotype, including angiogenesis. Examples are given of supportive growth and differeniation of EC on microfibre meshes of the silk protein fibroin and blends of starch with poly(epsilon-caprolactone), phenotypic markers being studied at both protein and mRNA level. Experimental models are also shown and concepts discussed to investigate how the stem cell niche, including that responsible for vascularization could be targeted, for example, by using engineered biodegradable polymer nanoparticles.

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