Visualizing dynamics of angiogenic sprouting from a three-dimensional microvasculature model using stage-top optical...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for development and disease.
• Existing models often lack physiological relevance or require invasive monitoring techniques.
• Non-invasive, real-time monitoring of 3D microvasculature is needed for accurate angiogenesis studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a physiologically relevant 3D in vitro microvasculature model for studying angiogenesis.
• To implement stage-top optical coherence tomography (OCT) for non-invasive monitoring of this model.
• To provide quantitative insights into vascular morphological changes during angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3D microvasculature model using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microdevice.
• Utilization of stage-top optical coherence tomography (OCT) for non-invasive imaging.
• Analysis of 3D microvascular structures and angiogenic sprouting dynamics.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a 3D in vitro microvasculature model.
• Non-invasive, real-time monitoring of angiogenesis using OCT was achieved without fluorescence staining.
• OCT imaging provided detailed 3D structural information and captured luminal formation dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D microvasculature model in a PDMS microdevice offers a physiologically relevant platform for angiogenesis research.
• Stage-top OCT is an effective, rapid, and non-invasive method for monitoring in vitro angiogenesis.
• This approach provides valuable quantitative data on vascular morphological changes, advancing the study of angiogenesis.