Name: co-transplantation of human ovarian tissue with engineered endothelial cells: a cell-based strategy combining accelerated perfusion with direct paracrine delivery
Uploaded: 2018-05-16T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Co-transplantation of Human Ovarian Tissue with Engineered Endothelial Cells: A Cell-based Strategy Combining Accelerated Perfusion with Direct Paracrine Deli

Omar Alexander Man for the illustrations. 
L.M. was supported by a Pilot Award from the Cornell Clinical and Translational Science Center and an ASRM research grant. 
The authors would like to thank James lab members for critical reading of the manuscript.

All procedures involving animal subjects have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Weill Cornell Medical College. All xenotransplantation experiments using ovarian tissue were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Human ovarian tissue was collected from patients scheduled for chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer treatment or prior bone marrow transplantation. The institutional review board (IRB) Committee of Weill Cornell Medical College approved the c...

<ol>
	<li>Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D., Jemal, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cancer+Statistics,+2017.">Cancer Statistics, 2017.</a> CA Cancer J Clin. 67 (1), 7-30 (2017).</li><li>Magelssen, H., Melve, K. K., Skjaerven, R., Fossa, S. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Parenthood+probability+and+pregnancy+outcome+in+patients+with+a+cancer+diagnosis+during+adolescence+and+young+adulthood.">Parenthood probability and pregnancy outcome in patients with a cancer diagnosis during adolescence and young adulthood.</a> Hum Reprod. 23 (1), 178-186 (2008).</li><li>Donnez, J., Dolmans, M. M., Diaz, C., Pellicer, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+cortex+transplantation:+time+to+move+on+from+experimental+studies+to+open+clinical+application.">Ovarian cortex transplantation: time to move on from experimental studies to open clinical application.</a> Fertil Steril. 104 (5), 1097-1098 (2015).</li><li>Stoop, D., Cobo, A., Silber, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fertility+preservation+for+age-related+fertility+decline.">Fertility preservation for age-related fertility decline.</a> Lancet. 384 (9950), 1311-1319 (2014).</li><li>Aubard, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Orthotopic+and+heterotopic+autografts+of+frozen-thawed+ovarian+cortex+in+sheep.">Orthotopic and heterotopic autografts of frozen-thawed ovarian cortex in sheep.</a> Hum Reprod. 14 (8), 2149-2154 (1999).</li><li>Newton, H., Aubard, Y., Rutherford, A., Sharma, V., Gosden, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Low+temperature+storage+and+grafting+of+human+ovarian+tissue.">Low temperature storage and grafting of human ovarian tissue.</a> Hum Reprod. 11 (7), 1487-1491 (1996).</li><li>Van Eyck, A. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electron+paramagnetic+resonance+as+a+tool+to+evaluate+human+ovarian+tissue+reoxygenation+after+xenografting.">Electron paramagnetic resonance as a tool to evaluate human ovarian tissue reoxygenation after xenografting.</a> Fertil Steril. 92 (1), 374-381 (2009).</li><li>Nugent, D., Newton, H., Gallivan, L., Gosden, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protective+effect+of+vitamin+E+on+ischaemia-reperfusion+injury+in+ovarian+grafts.">Protective effect of vitamin E on ischaemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian grafts.</a> J Reprod Fertil. 114 (2), 341-346 (1998).</li><li>Kim, S. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+assessment+of+ischemic+tissue+damage+in+ovarian+cortical+tissue+with+or+without+antioxidant+(ascorbic+acid)+treatment.">Quantitative assessment of ischemic tissue damage in ovarian cortical tissue with or without antioxidant (ascorbic acid) treatment.</a> Fertil Steril. 82 (3), 679-685 (2004).</li><li>Abir, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improving+posttransplantation+survival+of+human+ovarian+tissue+by+treating+the+host+and+graft.">Improving posttransplantation survival of human ovarian tissue by treating the host and graft.</a> Fertil Steril. 95 (4), 1205-1210 (2011).</li><li>Friedman, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Possible+improvements+in+human+ovarian+grafting+by+various+host+and+graft+treatments.">Possible improvements in human ovarian grafting by various host and graft treatments.</a> Hum Reprod. 27 (2), 474-482 (2012).</li><li>Shikanov, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibrin+encapsulation+and+vascular+endothelial+growth+factor+delivery+promotes+ovarian+graft+survival+in+mice.">Fibrin encapsulation and vascular endothelial growth factor delivery promotes ovarian graft survival in mice.</a> Tissue Eng Part A. 17 (23-24), 3095-3104 (2011).</li><li>Soleimani, R., Heytens, E., Oktay, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enhancement+of+neoangiogenesis+and+follicle+survival+by+sphingosine-1-phosphate+in+human+ovarian+tissue+xenotransplants.">Enhancement of neoangiogenesis and follicle survival by sphingosine-1-phosphate in human ovarian tissue xenotransplants.</a> PLoS One. 6 (4), e19475 (2011).</li><li>Israely, T., Dafni, H., Nevo, N., Tsafriri, A., Neeman, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Angiogenesis+in+ectopic+ovarian+xenotransplantation:+multiparameter+characterization+of+the+neovasculature+by+dynamic+contrast-enhanced+MRI.">Angiogenesis in ectopic ovarian xenotransplantation: multiparameter characterization of the neovasculature by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.</a> Magn Reson Med. 52 (4), 741-750 (2004).</li><li>Buratini, J., Price, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Follicular+somatic+cell+factors+and+follicle+development.">Follicular somatic cell factors and follicle development.</a> Reprod Fertil Dev. 23 (1), 32-39 (2011).</li><li>Dunlop, C. E., Anderson, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+regulation+and+assessment+of+follicular+growth.">The regulation and assessment of follicular growth.</a> Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl. 244, 13-17 (2014).</li><li>Durlinger, A. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Control+of+primordial+follicle+recruitment+by+anti-M&#252;llerian+hormone+in+the+mouse+ovary.">Control of primordial follicle recruitment by anti-M&#252;llerian hormone in the mouse ovary.</a> Endocrinology. 140 (12), 5789-5796 (1999).</li><li>Schmidt, K. L., Ernst, E., Byskov, A. G., Nyboe Andersen, A., Yding Andersen, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Survival+of+primordial+follicles+following+prolonged+transportation+of+ovarian+tissue+prior+to+cryopreservation.">Survival of primordial follicles following prolonged transportation of ovarian tissue prior to cryopreservation.</a> Hum Reprod. 18 (12), 2654-2659 (2003).</li><li>Jensen, A. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Outcomes+of+transplantations+of+cryopreserved+ovarian+tissue+to+41+women+in+Denmark.">Outcomes of transplantations of cryopreserved ovarian tissue to 41 women in Denmark.</a> Hum Reprod. 30 (12), 2838-2845 (2015).</li><li>Oktay, K., Newton, H., Aubard, Y., Salha, O., Gosden, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cryopreservation+of+immature+human+oocytes+and+ovarian+tissue:+an+emerging+technology?.">Cryopreservation of immature human oocytes and ovarian tissue: an emerging technology?.</a> Fertil Steril. 69 (1), 1-7 (1998).</li><li>Shultz, L. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+lymphoid+and+myeloid+cell+development+in+NOD/LtSz-scid+IL2R+gamma+null+mice+engrafted+with+mobilized+human+hemopoietic+stem+cells.">Human lymphoid and myeloid cell development in NOD/LtSz-scid IL2R gamma null mice engrafted with mobilized human hemopoietic stem cells.</a> J Immunol. 174 (10), 6477-6489 (2005).</li><li>Ramalingam, R., Rafii, S., Worgall, S., Brough, D. E., Crystal, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=E1(-)E4(+)+adenoviral+gene+transfer+vectors+function+as+a+&amp;#34;pro-life&amp;#34;+signal+to+promote+survival+of+primary+human+endothelial+cells.">E1(-)E4(+) adenoviral gene transfer vectors function as a &amp;#34;pro-life&amp;#34; signal to promote survival of primary human endothelial cells.</a> Blood. 93 (9), 2936-2944 (1999).</li><li>Seandel, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+of+a+functional+and+durable+vascular+niche+by+the+adenoviral+E4ORF1+gene.">Generation of a functional and durable vascular niche by the adenoviral E4ORF1 gene.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105 (49), 19288-19293 (2008).</li><li>Meirow, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cortical+fibrosis+and+blood-vessels+damage+in+human+ovaries+exposed+to+chemotherapy.+Potential+mechanisms+of+ovarian+injury.">Cortical fibrosis and blood-vessels damage in human ovaries exposed to chemotherapy. Potential mechanisms of ovarian injury.</a> Hum Reprod. 22 (6), 1626-1633 (2007).</li><li>Assidi, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+potential+markers+of+oocyte+competence+expressed+in+bovine+cumulus+cells+matured+with+follicle-stimulating+hormone+and/or+phorbol+myristate+acetate+in+vitro.">Identification of potential markers of oocyte competence expressed in bovine cumulus cells matured with follicle-stimulating hormone and/or phorbol myristate acetate in vitro.</a> Biol Reprod. 79 (2), 209-222 (2008).</li><li>Thakur, S. C., Datta, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Higher+expression+of+hyaluronan+binding+protein+1+(HABP1/p32/gC1qR/SF2)+during+follicular+development+and+cumulus+oocyte+complex+maturation+in+rat.">Higher expression of hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1/p32/gC1qR/SF2) during follicular development and cumulus oocyte complex maturation in rat.</a> Mol Reprod Dev. 75 (3), 429-438 (2008).</li><li>Dolmans, M. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Short-term+transplantation+of+isolated+human+ovarian+follicles+and+cortical+tissue+into+nude+mice.">Short-term transplantation of isolated human ovarian follicles and cortical tissue into nude mice.</a> Reproduction. 134 (2), 253-262 (2007).</li><li>Amorim, C. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impact+of+freezing+and+thawing+of+human+ovarian+tissue+on+follicular+growth+after+long-term+xenotransplantation.">Impact of freezing and thawing of human ovarian tissue on follicular growth after long-term xenotransplantation.</a> J Assist Reprod Genet. 28 (12), 1157-1165 (2011).</li><li>Kawamura, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hippo+signaling+disruption+and+Akt+stimulation+of+ovarian+follicles+for+infertility+treatment.">Hippo signaling disruption and Akt stimulation of ovarian follicles for infertility treatment.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 110 (43), 17474-17479 (2013).</li><li>Suzuki, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Successful+fertility+preservation+following+ovarian+tissue+vitrification+in+patients+with+primary+ovarian+insufficiency.">Successful fertility preservation following ovarian tissue vitrification in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency.</a> Hum Reprod. 30 (3), 608-615 (2015).</li><li>Campbell, B. K., Clinton, M., Webb, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+anti-M&#252;llerian+hormone+(AMH)+during+follicle+development+in+a+monovulatory+species+(sheep).">The role of anti-M&#252;llerian hormone (AMH) during follicle development in a monovulatory species (sheep).</a> Endocrinology. 153 (9), 4533-4543 (2012).</li><li>Donnez, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Restoration+of+ovarian+activity+and+pregnancy+after+transplantation+of+cryopreserved+ovarian+tissue:+a+review+of+60+cases+of+reimplantation.">Restoration of ovarian activity and pregnancy after transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue: a review of 60 cases of reimplantation.</a> Fertil Steril. 99 (6), 1503-1513 (2013).</li><li>Ferreira, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+sample+size+on+the+outcome+of+ovarian+tissue+cryopreservation.">The effects of sample size on the outcome of ovarian tissue cryopreservation.</a> Reprod Domest Anim. 45 (1), 99-102 (2010).</li><li>Gavish, Z., Peer, G., Roness, H., Cohen, Y., Meirow, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Follicle+activation+and+'burn-out'+contribute+to+post-transplantation+follicle+loss+in+ovarian+tissue+grafts:+the+effect+of+graft+thickness.">Follicle activation and 'burn-out' contribute to post-transplantation follicle loss in ovarian tissue grafts: the effect of graft thickness.</a> Hum Reprod. 30 (4), 1003 (2015).</li><li>Donnez, J., Dolmans, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fertility+Preservation+in+Women.">Fertility Preservation in Women.</a> N Engl J Med. 377 (17), 1657-1665 (2017).</li><li>Salama, M., Woodruff, T. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+advances+in+ovarian+autotransplantation+to+restore+fertility+in+cancer+patients.">New advances in ovarian autotransplantation to restore fertility in cancer patients.</a> Cancer Metastasis Rev. 34 (4), 807-822 (2015).</li><li>Donnez, J., Dolmans, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+cortex+transplantation:+60+reported+live+births+brings+the+success+and+worldwide+expansion+of+the+technique+towards+routine+clinical+practice.">Ovarian cortex transplantation: 60 reported live births brings the success and worldwide expansion of the technique towards routine clinical practice.</a> J Assist Reprod Genet. 32 (8), 1167-1170 (2015).</li><li>Meirow, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transplantations+of+frozen-thawed+ovarian+tissue+demonstrate+high+reproductive+performance+and+the+need+to+revise+restrictive+criteria.">Transplantations of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue demonstrate high reproductive performance and the need to revise restrictive criteria.</a> Fertil Steril. 106 (2), 467-474 (2016).</li><li>Kalich-Philosoph, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cyclophosphamide+triggers+follicle+activation+and+"burnout";+AS101+prevents+follicle+loss+and+preserves+fertility.">Cyclophosphamide triggers follicle activation and "burnout"; AS101 prevents follicle loss and preserves fertility.</a> Sci Transl Med. 5 (185), 185ra162 (2013).</li><li>Kano, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=AMH/MIS+as+a+contraceptive+that+protects+the+ovarian+reserve+during+chemotherapy.">AMH/MIS as a contraceptive that protects the ovarian reserve during chemotherapy.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 114 (9), E1688-E1697 (2017).</li></ol>

Here we demonstrate that co-transplantation of exECs provides a significant benefit to ovarian tissue viability and function following xenograft in mice. Standards for clinical application of ovarian tissue auto-transplantation for fertility preservation have not been set and the optimal parameters (size, transplantation site, duration of graft, etc.)32,33,34 for enhanced recovery of the follicular pool remain undefined...

Cancer remains among the leading causes of death in the developed world, yet decades of research have yielded significant progress for most types of cancer, and in some cases nearly doubled survival rates1. Unfortunately, chemotherapeutic agents are often gonadotoxic, depleting the reserve of primordial follicles in ovaries and reducing fertility2. This growing population can benefit from various methods of fertility preservation including oocyte and/or embryo cryopreservation, however, patients requiring prompt initiation of cancer therapy and pre-pubertal patients are ineligible for these options. As an alternative, some patients have chosen to cryopreserve ovarian tissue before undertaking their therapeutic regimen, and upon recovery and remission, auto-transplanting tissue to restore fertility3. Yet, to date, graft survival and follicular output following auto-transplantation remain relatively low4, mainly due to tissue ischemia and hypoxia5,6,7. Despite numerous efforts to improve the viability of ovarian cortical grafts using anti-oxidants8,9, pro-angiogenic cytokines10,11,12,13, or mechanical manipulations14, graft ischemia in a 5 to 7 day window post-transplant undermines the viability and survival of the graft7. To address this, we developed a cell-based strategy to facilitate anastomosis of host and graft vessels and thus hasten reperfusion of ovarian tissue.
In addition to the ischemic insult to grafted ovarian tissue in the post-transplant window, the disruption of inter-follicular signaling may contribute to depletion of the pool15,16. Because exogenous endothelial cells (ExECs) contribute to stable and functioning vessels in the periphery of the graft, they present a unique opportunity to convey a defined molecular input to transplanted tissue. As a proof of principle, ExECs were engineered to express super-physiological levels of Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF&#946;) superfamily that has been shown to restrict follicular growth17. Comparison of follicular distribution in grafts co-transplanted with control and AMH-expressing cells verifies the biological activity and potency of engineered exECs.
In summary, by improving graft viability and suppressing premature mobilization of the follicular pool, this approach can increase the productivity of auto-transplanted ovarian tissue in patients undergoing fertility preservation. Moreover, the ExEC-based platform enables experimental interrogation of molecular regulators that have been implicated in follicular development.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Leibovitz&#8217;s L-15 medium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11415064</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15240062</td>
			<td>Anti-Anti X100</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sucrose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S 1888</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fibrinogen</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>F 8630</td>
			<td>from bovine plasma</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thrombin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T 1063</td>
			<td>from human plasma</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMSO</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D 2650</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>12491015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Enzyme Cell Detachment Medium</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>00-4555-56</td>
			<td>Accutase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic paraffin film</td>
			<td>Bemis NA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Parafilm M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical paper tape 2.5 cm</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td>1530-1</td>
			<td>Micropore</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Paper tape 1.25 cm</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td>1530-0</td>
			<td>Micropore</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Perforated plastic Surgical tape 1.25 cm</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td>1527-0</td>
			<td>Transpore</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Monofilament Absorbable Suture</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>UM-203</td>
			<td>Biosyn</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Braided Absorbable Suture</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>GL-889</td>
			<td>Polysorb</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Povidone-iodine Solution USP 10%</td>
			<td>Purdue Products</td>
			<td>67618-153-01</td>
			<td>Betadine Solution Swab Stick</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cryoviales</td>
			<td>Nunc</td>
			<td>377267</td>
			<td>CryoTube</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sterile ocular lubricant</td>
			<td>Dechra</td>
			<td>17033-211-38</td>
			<td>Puralube</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.7 ml micro-centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>Denville</td>
			<td>C-2172</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anasthesia system</td>
			<td>VetEquip</td>
			<td>V-1 table top system with scavenging</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Endothelial cells</td>
			<td>Angiocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Isolated, transfected with E4-ORF- 1 and labeled endothelial cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trichrome stain</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>HT15-1kt</td>
			<td>Trichrome Stain (Masson) Kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isolectin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>I32450</td>
			<td>isolectin GS-IB4 From Griffonia simplicifolia, Alexa Fluor&#8482; 647 Conjugate</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

co-transplantation of human ovarian tissue with engineered endothelial cells: a cell-based strategy combining accelerated perfusion with direct paracrine delivery

Infertility is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and for some patients, cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos is not an option. As an alternative, an increasing number of these patients are choosing to cryopreserve ovarian tissue for autograft following recovery and remission. Despite improvements in outcomes among patients undergoing auto-transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue, efficient revascularization of grafted tissue remains a major obstacle. To mitigate ischemia and thus improve outcomes in patients undergoing auto-transplantation, we developed a vascular cell-based strategy for accelerating perfusion of ovarian tissue. We describe a method for co-transplantation of exogenous endothelial cells (ExECs) with cryopreserved ovarian tissue in a mouse xenograft model. We extend this approach to employ ExECs that have been engineered to constitutively express Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), thus enabling sustained paracrine signaling input to ovarian grafts. Co-transplantation with ExECs increased follicular volume and improved antral follicle development, and AMH-expressing ExECs promoted retention of quiescent primordial follicles. This combined strategy may be a useful tool for mitigating ischemia and modulating follicular activation in the context of fertility preservation and/or infertility at large.

To determine whether co-transplantation of ExECs provides a benefit to patients&#39; tissue, thawed ovarian cortical strips were divided into equal sized pieces and engrafted bilaterally into immuno-compromised, NOD scid gamma (NSG), mice. With one side embedded in a fibrin clot alone (no ECs) and the other containing ExECs (Figure 1a), each mouse served as its own control. ExECs were obtained via isolation of primary endothelium from human umbilical cords an...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Co-transplantation of Human Ovarian Tissue with Engineered Endothelial Cells: A Cell-based Strategy Combining Accelerated Perfusion with Direct Paracrine Deli

Co-transplantation of Human Ovarian Tissue with Engineered Endothelial Cells: A Cell-based Strategy Combining Accelerated Perfusion with Direct Paracrine Delivery

For some patients, the only option for fertility preservation is cryopreservation of ovarian tissue. Unfortunately, delayed revascularization undermines follicular viability. Here, we present a protocol to co-transplant human ovarian tissue with endothelial cells for utilization as a cell-based strategy combining accelerated perfusion with a direct paracrine delivery of bioactive molecules.

Infertility is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and for some patients, cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos is not an option. ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

The gastrointestinal tract is an example of barrier tissue that provides a physical barrier against entry of pathogens and toxins, while allowing the ...

Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion

3D organotypic cultures of epithelial cells on a matrix embedded with mesenchymal cells are widely used to study epithelial cell differentiation and ...

Production, Characterization and Potential Uses of a 3D Tissue-engineered Human Esophageal Mucosal Model

The incidence of both esophageal adenocarcinoma and its precursor, Barrett&#8217;s Metaplasia, are rising rapidly in the western world. Furthermore ...

Delivery of Proteins, Peptides or Cell-impermeable Small Molecules into Live Cells by Incubation with the Endosomolytic Reagent dfTAT

Macromolecular delivery strategies typically utilize the endocytic pathway as a route of cellular entry. However, endosomal entrapment severely limits the ...

Automated Contraction Analysis of Human Engineered Heart Tissue for Cardiac Drug Safety Screening

Cardiac tissue engineering describes techniques to constitute three dimensional force-generating engineered tissues. For the implementation of these ...

Perfusable Vascular Network with a Tissue Model in a Microfluidic Device

A spheroid (a multicellular aggregate) is regarded as a good model of living tissues in the human body. Despite the significant advancement in the ...

Microdissection of Primary Renal Tissue Segments and Incorporation with Novel Scaffold-free Construct Technology

Kidney transplantation is now a mainstream therapy for end-stage renal disease. However, with approximately 96,000 people on the waiting list and only ...

A Novel Tenorrhaphy Suture Technique with Tissue Engineered Collagen Graft to Repair Large Tendon Defects

Surgical management of large tendon defects with tendon grafts is challenging, as there are a finite number of sites where donors can be readily ...

Three-dimensional Patterning of Engineered Biofilms with a Do-it-yourself Bioprinter

Biofilms are aggregates of bacteria embedded in a self-produced spatially-patterned extracellular matrix. Bacteria within a biofilm develop enhanced ...

Establishing Single-Cell Based Co-Cultures in a Deterministic Manner with a Microfluidic Chip

Cell co-culture assays have been widely used for studying cell-cell interactions between different cell types to better understand the biology of diseases ...