| abstract |
The presently disclosed subject matter focuses on recapitulating the heterotypic interactions needed to maximize the co-development of vasculature and bone. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter explores the potential of cellular aggregation and temporal presentation of factors to induce the cell-cell signaling events required to stimulate ASCs to self-organize into vascularized bone. Further, exogenous PDGF-BB synergizes complex tissue formation in ASC cultures by enhancing vascular stability and osteogenic differentiation. The presently disclosed approach provides a robust protocol to engineer vascularized bone with ASCs in vitro . |