Angiogenic growth factor synergism in a murine tissue engineering model of angiogenesis and adipogenesis

Am J Pathol. 2007 Dec;171(6):2048-57. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2007.070066. Epub 2007 Nov 30.

Abstract

De novo tissue generation stimulated by three angiogenic growth factors administered in a factorial design was studied in an in vivo murine tissue engineering chamber. A silicone chamber was implanted around the epigastric pedicle and filled with Matrigel with 100 ng/ml of recombinant mouse vascular endothelial growth factor-120 (VEGF120), recombinant human basic fibroblastic growth factor (FGF-2), or recombinant rat platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) added as single, double, or triple combinations. Angiogenesis, supporting tissue ingrowth, and adipogenesis were assessed at 2 and 6 weeks by immunohistochemistry and morphometry. At 2 weeks angiogenesis was synergistically enhanced by VEGF120 + FGF-2 (P = 0.019). FGF-2 (P = 0.008) and PDGF-BB (P = 0.01) significantly increased connective tissue/inflammatory cell infiltrate (macrophages, pericytes, and preadipocytes) in double and triple combinations compared with control. At 6 weeks sequential addition of growth factors increased the percent volume of adipose tissue (P < 0.0005, each main effect), with a synergistic increase in adipose tissue in combination treatments (P < 0.0005). Groups containing 300 ng/ml of single growth factors produced significantly less adipose tissue than the triple growth factor combination (P < 0.0005, VEGF120 and PDGF-BB; P < 0.001, FGF-2). In conclusion, angiogenic growth factor combinations increased early angiogenesis and cell infiltration resulting in synergistically increased adipose tissue growth at 6 weeks. Two way and higher level synergies are likely to be important in therapeutic applications of angiogenic growth factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipogenesis / drug effects*
  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / cytology
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • Recombinant Proteins