Endothelial sprouting and network formation in collagen- and fibrin-based modular microbeads.

ABSTRACT: A modular tissue engineering approach may have advantages over current therapies in providing rapid and sustained revascularization of ischemic tissue. In this study, modular protein microbeads were prepared from pure fibrin (FIB) and collagen-fibrin composites (COL-FIB) using a simple water-in-oil emulsification technique. Human endothelial cells and fibroblasts were embedded directly in the microbead matrix. The resulting microbeads were generally spheroidal with a diameter of 100-200μm. Cell viability was high (75-80% viable) in microbeads, but was marginally lower than in bulk hydrogels of corresponding composition (85-90% viable). Cell proliferation was significantly greater in COL-FIB microbeads after two weeks in culture, compared to pure FIB microbeads. Upon embedding of microbeads

SUBMITTER: Rioja AY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4681647 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature