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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Perfusable Vascular Network with a Tissue Model in a Microfluidic Device
Published on: April 4, 2018
In vitro vascularization of human connective microtissues
Jens M Kelm1, Wolfgang Moritz, Doerthe Schmidt
1Institute for Chemical and Bio-Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
Methods in Molecular Medicine
|December 19, 2007
Summary
This study presents a novel microtissue system using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human aortic fibroblasts (HAFs) to model capillary network formation. This research advances tissue engineering by providing insights into vascularization for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Vascularization is crucial for multicellular life, and its dysregulation leads to diseases like cancer and ischemia.
- Artificial tissues require vascular systems for nutrient transport and integration with host vasculature.
- Developing functional vascular networks in engineered tissues remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a robust in vitro system for studying capillary network formation.
- To provide technical insights into designing and analyzing vascularization in multicell-type microtissues.
- To advance the development of clinically relevant engineered tissue implants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized gravity-enforced self-assembly in hanging drops to create microtissues.
- Coated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) onto a human aortic fibroblast (HAF) core.
- Developed a tissue-culture system for observing capillary network development.
Main Results:
- Successfully created a prototype vascularization system within multicell-type microtissues.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of studying capillary formation using HUVECs and HAFs.
- Generated comprehensive technical data on microtissue vascularization.
Conclusions:
- The developed microtissue system offers a valuable platform for investigating capillary formation.
- Understanding these vascularization processes is key to improving engineered tissue implants.
- This research contributes to overcoming challenges in vascularizing artificial tissues for clinical use.
