Preparation of an adipose-derived stem cell/fibrin–poly( d , l -lactic- co -glycolic acid) construct based on a rapid prototyping technique

Currently, large, thick, and complex tissue vascularization is one of the research focuses of tissue engineering. Numerous studies have proven that microvascular systems can be developed by cultivating endothelial cells in a hydrogel/scaffold structure. As the sources of adult endothelial cells are very limited and very easily degraded, it is better to induce stem cells into endothelial cells. In this article, a grid poly(d,l-lactic- co-glycolic acid) structure with defined internal channels was fabricated using a low-temperature deposition manufacturing technique under computer direction. In a fibrinogen mixture, an aqueous adipose-derived stem cell fibrinogen mixture was incorporated into the internal walls of the poly(d,l-lactic- co-glycolic acid) scaffold and stabilized with thrombin solution. After several days of in vitro culture, the adipose-derived stem cells immobilized in the fibrin hydrogel were induced into endothelial-like cells with endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Morphological and biological properties of the composite cell/fibrin–poly(d,l-lactic- co-glycolic acid) construct were characterized.