Affiliation:
1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering National Tsing‐Hua University Hsinchu 300044 Taiwan
2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh PA 15289 USA
3. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering College of Electrical and Computer Engineering National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300193 Taiwan
4. Institute of Biomedical Engineering College of Electrical and Computer Engineering National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300193 Taiwan
5. Department of Biological Science and Technology National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300193 Taiwan
6. Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio‐devices (IDS2B) National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300193 Taiwan
Abstract
AbstractVolumetric muscle loss (VML), a severe muscle tissue loss from trauma or surgery, results in scarring, limited regeneration, and significant fibrosis, leading to lasting reductions in muscle mass and function. A promising approach for VML recovery involves restoring vascular and neural networks at the injury site, a process not extensively studied yet. Collagen hydrogels have been investigated as scaffolds for blood vessel formation due to their biocompatibility, but reconstructing blood vessels and guiding innervation at the injury site is still difficult. In this study, collagen hydrogels with varied densities of vessel‐forming cells are implanted subcutaneously in mice, generating pre‐vascularized hydrogels with diverse vessel densities (0–145 numbers/mm2) within a week. These hydrogels, after being transplanted into muscle injury sites, are assessed for muscle repair capabilities. Results showed that hydrogels with high microvessel densities, filling the wound area, effectively reconnected with host vasculature and neural networks, promoting neovascularization and muscle integration, and addressing about 63% of the VML.
Funder
National Science and Technology Council