Intravital monitoring of microcirculatory and angiogenic response to lactocapromer terpolymer matrix in a wound model

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an epidermal substitute, a lactocapromer terpolymer matrix, on microcirculation in wounds. Lactocapromer terpolymer matrices were placed into the dorsal skinfold chamber of mice (n = 10). Untreated chamber preparations served as controls (n = 10). The microcirculation in tissue adjacent to the implant was observed by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Alongside the stable microhaemodynamics, a strong induction of angiogenesis adjacent to the implants was observed. A progressive increase in the functional vessel density was detected throughout the observation time of 10 days. Additionally, a stable and increasing perfusion within the newly developed vascular network in the outer circumference of the matrix was noted. The lactocapromer terpolymer matrix showed no adverse effect on the microcirculation in the host tissue. In contrast, as detected by intravital microscopy, the biomaterial protected the microcirculation and induced angiogenesis.