Preparation and characterization of pro-angiogenic gel derived from small intestinal submucosa

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Gels derived from decellularized small intestinal submucosa (SIS) have been used to repair ischemic myocardium and deliver protein drug. However, their material properties and effects on cell behavior are not well understood, in part because of the difficulty of gelling in vitro. In this study, soluble SIS matrix, which was easily handled and could effectively gel, was successfully prepared using a modified method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the SIS gel contained not only collagen but also sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs). Interestingly, the sustained release of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor within the SIS gel was detected, and no initial burst release was observed. The SIS gel was more capable of evoking neovascularization than collagen type I gel, as determined by tube formation experiments in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the mouse aortic ring assay, and animal experiments. The upregulated expression of kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), Notch1, and Ang2, the key genes in angiogenesis that were evaluated in HUVECs seeded on the SIS gel, confirmed that angiogenesis bioactive factors contained in the SIS gel are indeed active and effective. The SIS gel significantly promoted neovascularization compared to the collagen type I gel in vivo. Histology revealed adequate host tissue response in engraftment both types of gels. Together, these data demonstrate that the SIS gel is a promising and attractive candidate for tissue engineering, especially in promoting vessel formation. Statement of significanceThe material properties of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) gel and the effect of these properties upon cell behavior are not well understood, in part due to the difficulty of gelling in vitro. In this study, soluble SIS matrix, which was easily handled and gelled was prepared using modified method. The material properties and biocompatibility of SIS gel were explored. The sustained release of growth factors from this gel was observed along with its degradation in vitro. The results demonstrate that the SIS gel promote angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The SIS gel biological properties suggest that the constituent ECM molecules released from the gel remain activity. These findings suggested that the SIS gel was a promising candidate for tissue engineering, especially in promoting vessel formation.