Group simulates blood vessel growth

By better understanding the role that density of surrounding tissue plays in vessel formation, bioengineers could prepare “prevascularized” implantable tissues already equipped with blood vessels that match a patient’s blood vessel structure.

Prevascularized tissues might also help diabetes patients suffering from wounds that heal slowly—if at all—due to impaired blood microcirculation. Implanted skin grafts with their own blood vessels could stimulate blood flow to promote healing of diabetic ulcers.

Dr Weiss said he envisions prevascularized patches rehabilitating heart muscle that is damaged when a heart attack cuts off part of the heart’s oxygen supply, turning some of the heart into stiff scar tissue. A tissue patch implanted on the scar tissue could encourage blood vessel regrowth to repair the damaged, oxygen-deprived heart muscle.

As for cancer metastasis, most tumors begin as dense, blood-free masses. To grow and spread, the tumor tricks the body into fueling it with oxygenated blood vessels.

“The vessels grow in and then provide a pathway for the tumor to spread,” Dr Weiss noted. “This research will help us understand the physical parameters that control whether blood vessels reach the tumor.”