Poral tissue-engineered constructions can be used to transport genetic material (a gene for the blood-vessel growth factor) and stimulate new tissue formation. In L. Shea’s laboratory, poral tissue-engineered nanoconstructions were created using polylactide-co-glycoside with encapsulated plasmids which carry gene insertions for transfection. It was found that porization increased the level of transgene expression in vivo. Transfected cells were at first found at the periphery of the construction, but in 4 months, transgene expression was observed throughout tissue construction. Stable expression of VEGE, born on the plasmid, led to increased density of blood vessels in transgene tissue compared to the control. Combining new nanoconstructions with gene delivery technology by the use of nonviral vectors will facilitate manipulations with different tissues in the future, favouring the development of the regenerative medicine.
Place of employment — Chemical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, USA.
Contacts — 2145 Sheridan Rd., Tech E156Evanston IL 60208 USA(847) 491-7043l-shea@northwestern.edu .
Publications — Plasmid delivery in vivo from porous tissue-engineering scaffolds: transgene expression and cellular transfection. Jang JH, Rives CB, Shea LD. Mol Ther. 2005 Sep;12(3):475–83. Gene delivery from polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. Jang JH, Houchin TL, Shea LD. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2004 Sep;1(1):127–38. Matrices and scaffolds for DNA delivery in tissue engineering. De Laporte L, Shea LD., Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2007 May 30;59(4–5):292–307.
