Application of stem cells in engineered vascular graft and vascularized organs

Over the past few decades, research on and the application of stem cells has gradually become a highly attractive topic in the field of scientific research [1]. Stem cells are a large group of unique cells with the capability of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation under certain conditions. This implies that we can obtain multi-purpose cells that we require using an individual stem cell. This substantial potential generates infinite possibilities regarding the future of stem cells. Several scientists are working on the potential applications of stem cells in the biomedical field, particularly in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, by studying their properties and functions [2], [3]. As an emerging field of research, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine aim to use appropriate seed cells, scaffold materials, and biological factors to develop biological substitutes similar to human natural tissues in vitro to compensate for the problems existing in tissue and organ transplantation. These problems include donor shortages, immune rejection, and incomplete functional reconstruction. As the most important factor, the capability of seed cells determines the type and function of tissue engineering substitutes. The availability of more potent seed cells implies that more complex tissue organs can be reconstructed and their functions determined. This is highly significant. The pluripotency of stem cells effectively fits this requirement. The use of stem cells as seed cells to construct tissue-engineered grafts displays high potential.As the most important transportation system in the human body, blood vessels transport all nutrients and metabolic waste. The integrity of vascular function is crucial for the maintenance of the normal functions of tissues and organs and the health of the human body. Vascular function integrity also has unique importance in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine [4]. On the one hand, blood vessels constitute the target product of tissue engineering. Owing to substantial clinical demand, researchers have conducted extensive research on blood vessels and developed a series of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) addressing all types of blood vessel sizes [5]. These tissue-engineered blood vessels have achieved considerably high performance at the large-caliber level. However, many defects and deficiencies such as thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia continue to exist [6]. On the other hand, blood vessels are also a key factor for the large size and high perfection of tissue-engineered organoids. Organoids are three-dimensional (3D), self-organized cultures derived from stem cells. These observe the composition, structure, and function of cell types in different tissues to a certain extent [7]. If the culture of the organoids is a simple cell colony without vascularization, the size and number of cells of organoids are limited substantially by the supply of nutrients. Furthermore, the function difference is large compared with that of normal organs. Therefore, all types of tissue engineering organoids can realistically achieve a large size of culture and function reproduction if adequate vascularization can be achieved. The production of efficient and effective engineered vascular grafts and vascularized organs is of crucial importance for the development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this review, we primarily discuss the application of stem cells in the construction of TEVGs and the vascularization of tissue engineering organoids. We aim to inspire new thinking and examine new perspectives regarding the application of stem cells in tissue engineering.

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