Vessel Maturation in Pre-vascularized Engineered Graft Improves Graft-host Integration and Functionality

Oxygen diffusion and nutrient delivery into the tissue are major obstacles in graft transplantation, allowing only a small graft to be implanted. Studies have demonstrated the ability to induce in-vitro self-assembly of vessel networks within three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs by multicellular culturing of endothelial cells, and other cell components. Once transplanted, in vitro engineered vascular constructs can contribute to anastomosis and integration with host vasculature to form stable functional blood vessels in vivo. However, host vasculature invasion into the tissue may takes a few weeks leading to insufficient vascularization or hypoxia deeper in the tissue. Multiple anastomosis events and rapid graft revascularization may be achieved through the use of optimally matured, pre-vascularized engineered constructs. In this study, we examined the effect of the vascular maturation level on graft performance and integration with host vasculature. `