Collagen modules for in situ delivery of mesenchymal stromal cell-derived endothelial cells for improved angiogenesis

Modular tissue engineering is a strategy to create scalable, self-assembling, three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs. This strategy was used to deliver endothelial-like cells derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (EL-MSCs) to locally induce vascularization. First, tissue engineered modules were formed, comprising EL-MSCs and collagen-based cylinders. Seven days of module culture in a microfluidic chamber under continuous flow resulted in the formation of interstices, formed by random packing of the modules, which served as channels and were lined by the EL-MSCs. We observed maintenance of the endothelial phenotype of the EL-MSCs, as demonstrated by CD31 staining, and the cells proliferated well. Next, collagen modules covered with EL-MSCs, with or without embedded MSCs, were implanted subcutaneously in immune-compromised SCID/Bg mice. After 7 days, CD31-positive vessels were observed in the samples. These data demonstrate the feasibility of EL-MSCs coated collagen module as a strategy to locally stimulate angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.