Generation of Multi-Scale Vascular Network System within 3D Hydrogel using 3D Bio-Printing Technology

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• 3D bio-printing enables complex tissue creation but struggles with vascularization of thick constructs.
• Lack of vascular perfusion hinders tissue growth and maturation post-printing.
• Current technologies face limitations in creating single-cell level capillary networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D bio-printing method for creating vascularized thick tissues.
• To engineer larger fluidic vascular channels and facilitate natural capillary network formation.
• To provide a feasible solution for vascular perfusion in engineered tissues.

Main Methods:

• A novel 3D printing approach was employed to construct larger fluidic vascular channels (~1mm lumen).
• Microvascular beds were formed between two large fluidic vessels.
• Angiogenic sprouting from the large channel edges connected the capillary network to the vessels.

Main Results:

• The method successfully created larger fluidic vascular channels.
• A capillary network formed adjacent to the large channels through natural maturation.
• The capillary network connected to the large vascular channels via angiogenic sprouting.
• Simultaneous printing of cells and matrices around channels was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D bio-printing technology offers a feasible solution for vascularizing thick tissue constructs.
• This method has significant potential for engineering vascularized tissues and vascular niches.
• The approach overcomes limitations in creating intricate capillary networks at the single-cell level.