What is the function of A: Vascular Endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tendon tissue engineering?

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a vital role in promoting vascularization, which is essential for the health and functionality of engineered tissues, particularly in tendon tissue engineering. Its primary function is to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, a process known as angiogenesis. This is crucial in tissue engineering because adequate blood supply is necessary to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells, remove waste products, and support overall tissue survival and integration.

In the context of tendon healing and regeneration, the presence of VEGF can help ensure that newly formed tendon tissue is adequately vascularized, thereby improving the chances of successful integration with surrounding tissues and enhancing the healing process. By promoting the growth of blood vessels, VEGF facilitates the establishment of a microenvironment conducive to cell proliferation and tissue maturation, which is particularly important when dealing with the avascular nature of tendons.

While enhancing proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), increasing collagen production, and stimulating tenocyte differentiation are important processes in tendon repair and regeneration, VEGF's primary and well-established role is specifically related to promoting vascularization. This vascular support is foundational for other cellular activities to occur effectively.