MicroRNAs in vascular tissue engineering and post-ischemic neovascularization

Schematic of application of miRs in vascular tissue engineering. Cells from patient could be collected, expanded and be subjected to miR modulation strategies to generate cells of desired specification. Pluripotent stem cells can be modulated to inhibit self-renewal and promote differentiation toward a desired progenitor cell. Also miR modulation of the progenitor cells may permit maintenance of the cells in a progenitor state or differentiation toward specific progeny thereby facilitating a modular cell therapy strategy. The modified cells can be loaded onto scaffolds for implantation or can be used to generate intact tissues and organs in vitro before implantation in the patient. MiR modification strategies can also be used directly in ischemic tissues to regulate angiogenesis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying the 'desired' cargo of miR can be isolated from stem or progenitor cells for direct injection into ischemic tissue.166