Gelatin methacryloyl is a slow degrading material allowing vascularization and long-term use in vivo

Heltmann-Meyer S, Steiner D, Mueller C, Schneidereit D, Friedrich O, Salehi S, Engel F, Arkudas A, Horch RE (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Biomedical Materials Institute of Physics

Book Volume: 16

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1088/1748-605X/ac1e9d

Abstract

In situ tissue engineering is an emerging field aiming at the generation of ready-to-use three-dimensional tissues. One solution to supply a proper vascularization of larger tissues to provide oxygen and nutrients is the arteriovenous loop (AVL) model. However, for this model, suitable scaffold materials are needed that are biocompatible/non-immunogenic, slowly degradable, and allow vascularization. Here, we investigate the suitability of the known gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based hydrogel for in-situ tissue engineering utilizing the AVL model. Rat AVLs are embedded by two layers of GelMA hydrogel in an inert PTFE chamber and implanted in the groin. Constructs were explanted after 2 or 4 weeks and analyzed. For this purpose, gross morphological, histological, and multiphoton microscopic analysis were performed. Immune response was analyzed based on anti-CD68 and anti-CD163 staining of immune cells. The occurrence of matrix degradation was assayed by anti-MMP3 staining. Vascularization was analyzed by anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin staining, multiphoton microscopy, as well as expression analysis of 53 angiogenesis-related proteins utilizing a proteome profiler angiogenesis array kit. Here we show that GelMA hydrogels are stable for at least 4 weeks in the rat AVL model. Furthermore, our data indicate that GelMA hydrogels are biocompatible. Finally, we provide evidence that GelMA hydrogels in the AVL model allow connective tissue formation, as well as vascularization, introducing multiphoton microscopy as a new methodology to visualize neovessel formation originating from the AVL. GelMA is a suitable material for in situ and in vivo TE in the AVL model.

Authors with CRIS profile

Stefanie Heltmann-Meyer Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery Dominik Steiner Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery Dominik Schneidereit Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie (MBT) Oliver Friedrich Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie (MBT) Felix Engel Professur für Experimentelle Nieren- und Kreislaufforschung Andreas Arkudas Professur für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie Raymund Horch Professur für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie

Involved external institutions

Universität Bayreuth DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Heltmann-Meyer, S., Steiner, D., Mueller, C., Schneidereit, D., Friedrich, O., Salehi, S.,... Horch, R.E. (2021). Gelatin methacryloyl is a slow degrading material allowing vascularization and long-term use in vivo. Biomedical Materials, 16(6). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-605X/ac1e9d

MLA:

Heltmann-Meyer, Stefanie, et al. "Gelatin methacryloyl is a slow degrading material allowing vascularization and long-term use in vivo." Biomedical Materials 16.6 (2021).

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