An Innovative Arteriovenous (AV) Loop Breast Cancer Model Tailored for Cancer Research.

Animal models are important tools to investigate the pathogenesis and develop treatment strategies for breast cancer in humans. In this study, we developed a new three-dimensional in vivo arteriovenous loop model of human breast cancer with the aid of biodegradable materials, including fibrin, alginate, and polycaprolactone. We examined the in vivo effects of various matrices on the growth of breast cancer cells by imaging and immunohistochemistry evaluation.

Tissue Engineering of Lymphatic Vasculature in the Arteriovenous Loop Model of the Rat.

Various therapeutic approaches, for example, in case of trauma or cancer require the transplantation of autologous tissue. Depending on the size and the origin of the harvested tissue, these therapies can lead to iatrogenic complications and donor-site morbidities. In future, these side effects could be avoided by transplanting artificially generated tissue consisting of different cell types and matrix components derived from the host body.

Human adipose-derived stem cells support lymphangiogenesis in vitro by secretion of lymphangiogenic factors.

Lymphedema is a chronic progressive disease ultimately resulting in severe, disfiguring swelling and permanent changes of the affected tissues. Presently, there is no causal treatment approach of lymphedema. Therefore, most therapies are purely symptomatic.

Tumor‑type‑dependent effects on the angiogenic abilities of endothelial cells in an in vitro rat cell model.

Adequate vascularization is pivotal for tumor progression and metastasis. Tumor angiogenesis is based on a sequence of interactions between the tumor and surrounding cells and the extracellular matrix. It is widely known that a tumor can influence and control its surroundings to create favorable conditions for further growth.

The Arteriovenous (AV) Loop in a Small Animal Model to Study Angiogenesis and Vascularized Tissue Engineering.

A functional blood vessel network is a prerequisite for the survival and growth of almost all tissues and organs in the human body. Moreover, in pathological situations such as cancer, vascularization plays a leading role in disease progression. Consequently, there is a strong need for a standardized and well-characterized in vivo model in order to elucidate the mechanisms of neovascularization and develop different vascularization approaches for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.