The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine said Monday it is developing a gel that could make bioengineered organs and other tissues a more viable option in humans.
The gel is designed to stimulate regenerated tissues into growing new blood vessels in the body and has the promise "to move regenerative medicine to the next level," said Dr. Tamer Aboushwareb, an assistant professor of urology at the institute.
Researchers presented their findings at the Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons in San Francisco.
The gel is based out of collagen and mixed with fibrin, a naturally occurring protein in the body. The compound is able to release vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) over time. The body also releases this protein naturally to grow new blood vessels after an injury or exercise, or to bypass blocked arteries.
The researchers have developed a method to inject the gel into the body and control the release of VEGF for up to 12 days. The gel is being used in animal trials.
Aboushwareb said he is hopeful the gel will help circumvent an existing problem with bioengineered tissues — getting the tissue to grow new blood vessels.
"If we can put these gels with these factors on, for example, the bladder, we would then be able to attract vascular tissues to the bladder very early on and greatly improve the survival of this tissue," Aboushwareb said.
Dr. Anthony Atala, the institute's director, said the gel could serve as a "piece of the puzzle" for getting regenerative technology "where we want it to be."
He cautioned that it could be several years before the gel is available for use in humans.
Besides use with regenerating organs and tissue, Atala said the gel could be used in plastic and reconstructive surgery "to help the tissue heal faster."
Aboushwareb said the next step for researchers is extending the release time for the VEGF in the gel beyond 12 days.
"If we can get it to a release time of 28 days or even 58 days, then we're giving the implanted tissue a much greater chance of allowing the vascular tissue to grow into it," Aboushwareb said.
The institute also is conducting research into other gel options, specifically for getting oxygen into body tissue.
The amount of oxygen is critical because when the tissue is deprived of it, the irreversible process of tissue death begins.
For example, if immediate medical attention isn't available when a traumatic wound damages blood vessels in the leg, the tissue may begin to decompose, and amputation is often required.
In that research area, scientists are working to develop another gel that would temporarily provide oxygen to muscle tissue and keep it alive until surgery could restore the blood supply. Such a gel could be carried by military and emergency medical personnel.
The technology also could be used with organ transplantation, such as providing oxygen to donated organs to increase the amount of time they can safely remain outside the body before being implanted.
Researchers said the gel is made from a peroxide-based chemical that generates oxygen.
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