Temporal changes guided by mesenchymal stem cells on a 3D microgel platform enhance angiogenesis in vivo at a low-cell dose
Dilip Thomas, Grazia Marsico, Isma Liza Mohd Isa, Arun Thirumaran, Xizhe Chen, Bartłomiej Łukasz, Gianluca Fontana, Brian J. Rodriguez, Martina Marchetti‐Deschmann, Timothy O’Brien, Abhay Pandit
Abstract
cells) in a preclinical hindlimb ischemia model showing accelerated formation of new blood vessels with a reduced inflammatory response impeding progression of tissue damage. Molecular analysis revealed that several key mediators of angiogenesis were up-regulated in the low-cell-dose microgel group, providing a mechanistic insight of pathways modulated in vivo. Our research adds to current knowledge in cell-encapsulation strategies by highlighting the importance of preconditioning or priming the capacity of biomaterials through cell-material interactions. Obtaining therapeutic efficacy at a low cell dose in the microgel platform is a promising clinical route that would aid faster tissue repair and reperfusion in "no-option" patients suffering from peripheral arterial diseases, such as critical limb ischemia (CLI).