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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
Published on: September 9, 2016
Perfusable branching microvessel bed for vascularization of engineered tissues
Loraine L Y Chiu1, Miles Montgomery, Yan Liang
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G9.
Summary
Engineered capillary networks mimic natural angiogenesis for improved tissue survival. This vascularization technique enhances cardiac tissue function and cell-cell connections.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Vascularization is essential for engineered tissue viability, both in vitro and in vivo.
- Natural angiogenesis involves endothelial cell proliferation, sprouting, lumen formation, and network connection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer an organized capillary network mimicking natural angiogenesis.
- To enhance the functional properties of engineered cardiac tissues through prevascularization.
Main Methods:
- Directed capillary sprouting from vascular explants on micropatterned substrates with thymosin β4-hydrogel.
- Application of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor to accelerate network formation.
- Confocal and transmission electron microscopy to analyze lumen formation and endothelial cell markers (CD31, VE-cadherin, von Willebrand factor).
Main Results:
- Formation of connected capillary networks between vascular explants within 21 days, accelerated to 14 days with growth factors.
- Presence of endothelialized tubules with lumens confirmed by microscopy and marker expression.
- Engineered cardiac tissues with vasculature showed improved function, cell striations, and cell-cell junctions.
Conclusions:
- The developed method successfully mimics in vivo angiogenesis to create functional vascular networks.
- Prevascularization significantly enhances the quality and function of engineered cardiac tissues.
- The technique allows for easy removal of vasculature and subsequent seeding of tissue-specific cells.
