Vascular-like network prepared using hollow hydrogel microfibers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Creating volumetric tissues in vitro requires a 3D vascular-like network for cell survival.
• Efficient oxygen and nutrient supply necessitates microvessel channels within 100-200 μm.
• Rapid perfusion of medium or blood post-cell seeding is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel technique for fabricating engineered vascular-like networks.
• To meet the critical requirements of channel distance and rapid perfusion for tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of assembled hollow alginate hydrogel microfibers.
• Enclosing mammalian cells within the gel portions of the microfibers.
• Controlling microfiber gel thickness to achieve desired channel spacing (approx. 50 μm gel, <150 μm channel distance).

Main Results:

• Achieved microchannel distances within 150 μm using 50 μm gel thickness microfibers.
• Confirmed rapid medium perfusion (<10 min) after cell immobilization.
• Demonstrated HepG2 cell proliferation and function maintenance in gel portions during 7-day perfusion culture.

Conclusions:

• The novel vascular-like networks satisfy key requirements for volumetric tissue engineering.
• This technique shows potential for advancing in vitro tissue and organ creation.
• Successful cell function and viability highlight the network's suitability for perfusion culture.