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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Author Spotlight: Automated Bioprinting for High-Throughput Vascular Model Fabrication
Published on: August 16, 2024
Direct 3D bioprinting of perfusable vascular constructs using a blend bioink
Weitao Jia1, P Selcan Gungor-Ozkerim2, Yu Shrike Zhang3
1Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200233, PR China.
This study introduces a novel 3D bioprinting method using a specialized bioink for creating organized, perfusable vascular networks. This advancement overcomes limitations in tissue engineering for complex constructs and potential organ repair.
Area of Science:
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
- 3D Bioprinting Technology
Background:
- Significant technological advancements in tissue engineering still face challenges in creating complex, functional tissue constructs.
- Conventional microfabrication techniques struggle to develop the highly organized 3D vascular networks essential for engineered tissues.
- Bioprinting offers a promising solution for fabricating intricate vascular structures to support engineered tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a versatile 3D bioprinting strategy for creating perfusable vascular structures.
- To engineer highly organized vascular networks mimicking natural counterparts for enhanced tissue function.
- To overcome limitations of existing methods in fabricating complex vascularized tissue constructs.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel cell-responsive bioink composed of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), sodium alginate, and 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-tetra-acrylate (PEGTA).
- Utilized a multilayered coaxial extrusion system for direct, single-step 3D bioprinting of vascular structures.
- Employed dual crosslinking strategies: ionic crosslinking with calcium ions and covalent photocrosslinking of GelMA and PEGTA for construct stability.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated stable, multilayered 3D perfusable hollow tubes with precise deposition.
- Tuned rheological properties and mechanical strengths of the bioink by incorporating PEGTA.
- Demonstrated favorable biological characteristics supporting endothelial and stem cell proliferation, forming biologically relevant, organized vessels.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D bioprinting strategy and bioink formulation enable the creation of highly organized, perfusable vascular networks.
- This novel technique surpasses conventional microfabrication and sacrificial templating for vascular fabrication.
- The technology holds significant potential for engineering large-scale vascularized tissue constructs for organ transplantation and repair.
