| 초록 |
Low oxygen tension, defined as hypoxia, is identified as a key regulator that promotes vascular differentiation and induction during various biological processes. Despite the pivotal role of hypoxia in vascular development, nobody has simulated controlled hypoxia in a 3D microenvironment. In this study, we present a novel hydrogel that provides a hypoxic microenvironment to promote vascular development in vitro and in vivo. We designed hypoxia-inducible hydrogels formed with oxygen consumption in laccase-mediated reaction, and characterized their physicochemical properties. In addition, we evaluated the effects of a hypoxic microenvironment on the vascular tube formation of endothelial progenitor cells in vitro and on blood vessel recruitment in vivo. This approach can be adapted for many other natural/synthetic polymers and may encourage innovation in a broad range of applications, including the study and treatment of hypoxia-regulated disorders and vascular tissue regeneration. |
