Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation-National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 1;24(15):12314. doi: 10.3390/ijms241512314.
Biomaterials are pivotal in supporting and guiding vascularization for therapeutic applications. To design effective, bioactive biomaterials, understanding the cellular and molecular processes involved in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis is crucial. Biomaterial platforms can replicate the interactions between cells, the ECM, and the signaling molecules that trigger blood vessel formation. Hydrogels, with their soft and hydrated properties resembling natural tissues, are widely utilized; particularly synthetic hydrogels, known for their bio-inertness and precise control over cell-material interactions, are utilized. Naturally derived and synthetic hydrogel bases are tailored with specific mechanical properties, controlled for biodegradation, and enhanced for cell adhesion, appropriate biochemical signaling, and architectural features that facilitate the assembly and tubulogenesis of vascular cells. This comprehensive review showcases the latest advancements in hydrogel materials and innovative design modifications aimed at effectively guiding and supporting vascularization processes. Furthermore, by leveraging this knowledge, researchers can advance biomaterial design, which will enable precise support and guidance of vascularization processes and ultimately enhance tissue functionality and therapeutic outcomes.
生物材料在支持和引导治疗应用中的血管生成方面起着关键作用。为了设计有效的、具有生物活性的生物材料，理解涉及血管生成和血管发生的细胞和分子过程是至关重要的。生物材料平台可以复制细胞、细胞外基质和信号分子之间的相互作用，这些信号分子触发血管形成。水凝胶因其柔软和水合的特性类似于天然组织而被广泛应用；特别是具有生物惰性和对细胞-材料相互作用精确控制的合成水凝胶被广泛应用。天然衍生和合成水凝胶基质可以根据特定的机械性能进行定制，控制其生物降解性，并增强细胞黏附性、适当的生化信号以及促进血管细胞组装和管状形成的结构特征。本综述展示了水凝胶材料的最新进展和创新设计修改，旨在有效地指导和支持血管生成过程。此外，通过利用这些知识，研究人员可以推进生物材料设计，从而精确地支持和引导血管生成过程，并最终增强组织功能和治疗效果。
