Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model

Lymphedema has emerged as a significant health issue among cancer survivors. The primary goal of treatment is to restore lymphatic drainage function. Engineering vascularized lymphatic tissue offers a promising alternative to achieve this goal. Currently, lymphatic tissue engineering with the use of...

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Main Authors: Gina A. Mackert, Hui-Yi Hsiao, Yung-Chun Chang, Robin T. Wu, Rushil R. Dang, Richard Tee, Jung-Ju Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Tissue Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20417314251360755
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author Gina A. Mackert
Hui-Yi Hsiao
Yung-Chun Chang
Robin T. Wu
Rushil R. Dang
Richard Tee
Jung-Ju Huang
author_facet Gina A. Mackert
Hui-Yi Hsiao
Yung-Chun Chang
Robin T. Wu
Rushil R. Dang
Richard Tee
Jung-Ju Huang
author_sort Gina A. Mackert
collection DOAJ
description Lymphedema has emerged as a significant health issue among cancer survivors. The primary goal of treatment is to restore lymphatic drainage function. Engineering vascularized lymphatic tissue offers a promising alternative to achieve this goal. Currently, lymphatic tissue engineering with the use of cell-seeded scaffolds incubated in high hemodynamic flow environments, such as AV loop chambers, has shown promising results for lymphatic vessel regeneration. In this study, lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were incorporated into an AV loop chamber and cultured in the groin region of a rat model. Surprisingly, the level of lymphangiogenesis, indicated by increased expression of the lymphatic marker LYVE-1, was significantly higher in the group with LECs alone than in the group with both LECs and ASCs. The engineered lymphatic tissue was subsequently orthotopically transplanted into the area of lymph node dissection. This procedure restored lymphatic drainage and reduced local inflammation, with decreased levels of CD3, CD4, and CD8 expression. These findings provide the potential for creating a functional, organized lymphatic system through the engineering of vascularized lymphatic tissue via AV loop cultivation, offering an applicable treatment option for lymphatic defects.
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issn 2041-7314
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publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher SAGE Publishing
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series Journal of Tissue Engineering
spelling doaj-art-d3d9d0c2ec644d4a8d95a8764756197e2025-08-20T02:58:01ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Tissue Engineering2041-73142025-08-011610.1177/20417314251360755Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat modelGina A. Mackert0Hui-Yi Hsiao1Yung-Chun Chang2Robin T. Wu3Rushil R. Dang4Richard Tee5Jung-Ju Huang6Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Microsurgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, GermanyCenter for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, TaiwanDivision of Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, TaiwanDivision of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USAMaxillofacial Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston Medical Center, MA, USADepartment of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, TaiwanLymphedema has emerged as a significant health issue among cancer survivors. The primary goal of treatment is to restore lymphatic drainage function. Engineering vascularized lymphatic tissue offers a promising alternative to achieve this goal. Currently, lymphatic tissue engineering with the use of cell-seeded scaffolds incubated in high hemodynamic flow environments, such as AV loop chambers, has shown promising results for lymphatic vessel regeneration. In this study, lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were incorporated into an AV loop chamber and cultured in the groin region of a rat model. Surprisingly, the level of lymphangiogenesis, indicated by increased expression of the lymphatic marker LYVE-1, was significantly higher in the group with LECs alone than in the group with both LECs and ASCs. The engineered lymphatic tissue was subsequently orthotopically transplanted into the area of lymph node dissection. This procedure restored lymphatic drainage and reduced local inflammation, with decreased levels of CD3, CD4, and CD8 expression. These findings provide the potential for creating a functional, organized lymphatic system through the engineering of vascularized lymphatic tissue via AV loop cultivation, offering an applicable treatment option for lymphatic defects.https://doi.org/10.1177/20417314251360755
spellingShingle Gina A. Mackert
Hui-Yi Hsiao
Yung-Chun Chang
Robin T. Wu
Rushil R. Dang
Richard Tee
Jung-Ju Huang
Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model
Journal of Tissue Engineering
title Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model
title_full Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model
title_fullStr Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model
title_full_unstemmed Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model
title_short Transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using LEC and in vivo AV loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model
title_sort transplantation of engineered vascularized lymphatic tissue using lec and in vivo av loop model to enhance lymphangiogenesis and restore lymphatic drainage in a lymphadenectomy rat model
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20417314251360755
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