Co-culture system of osteoblasts and endothelial cells, an in vitro strategy to enhance vascularization in bone regeneration

Abstract

[Excerpt] For bone TE applications the formation of a prevascularized structure is not only required for the survival of seeded cells on scaffolds, but is also a fundamental process in bone formation and repair. In this work we describe an in vitro strategy consisting in the simultaneous culture of osteoblasts and endothelial cells (ECs) onto a starch-based fiber-mesh scaffold, aiming to accelerate the establishment of a vascular bed in the implanted construct. [...]