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Tissue Engineering: Construction of a Multicellular 3D Scaffold for the Delivery of Layered Cell Sheets
Published on: October 3, 2014
Design of prevascularized three-dimensional cell-dense tissues using a cell sheet stacking manipulation technology.
Tadashi Sasagawa1, Tatsuya Shimizu, Sachiko Sekiya
1Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Woman's Medical University, TWIns, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
Biomaterials
|December 8, 2009
Summary
This study developed a method to create prevascular networks in 3-D tissue constructs by sandwiching endothelial cells. This technique enables better survival of transplanted tissues by promoting blood vessel formation and integration.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3-D) cell-dense tissues face challenges like hypoxia and nutrient deficiency post-transplantation.
- Prevascularization is crucial for the survival and integration of thick tissue constructs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for creating prevascular networks within 3-D tissue constructs.
- To improve the survival of transplanted engineered tissues.
Main Methods:
- A sophisticated 3-D cell sheet manipulation system was developed using temperature-responsive culture dishes.
- Endothelial cells, specifically human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), were sandwiched between myoblast cell sheets.
- Alternating layers of myoblast sheets and HUVECs were used to create multi-layered constructs.
Main Results:
- Sandwiched HUVECs sprouted and formed network structures within the myoblast sheets in vitro.
- Multi-layered constructs (five layers) showed endothelial cell connections and capillary-like structures.
- Transplanted constructs demonstrated functional anastomosis with host vessels, leading to neovascularization and graft survival.
Conclusions:
- The prevascularized myoblast sheet constructs successfully induced functional anastomosis.
- The cell sheet stacking manipulation technology offers a significant advancement for developing 3-D tissues.
- This method holds promise for various applications in regenerative medicine.
