Direct 3D bioprinting of prevascularized tissue constructs with complex microarchitecture

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Vascular networks are crucial for nutrient and oxygen transport in living tissues.
• Engineering complex vascularized tissues remains a significant challenge.
• Existing methods often require sacrificial materials or perfusion systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple and efficient method for engineering prevascularized tissues with complex 3D microarchitectures.
• To create functional vascular networks within engineered tissues using rapid bioprinting.
• To demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo performance of bioprinted vascularized tissues.

Main Methods:

• Utilized microscale continuous optical bioprinting (μCOB) for rapid fabrication of 3D tissue constructs.
• Encapsulated multiple cell types mimicking native vascular composition directly into hydrogels.
• Controlled biomaterial properties regionally to promote spontaneous lumen formation by endothelial cells.

Main Results:

• Successfully created prevascularized tissues with complex 3D microarchitectures using μCOB.
• Demonstrated spontaneous in vitro formation of lumen-like structures by endothelial cells.
• Observed in vivo survival, network formation, and functional anastomosis with host circulation, including red blood cell perfusion.

Conclusions:

• Microscale continuous optical bioprinting (μCOB) provides a rapid, flexible, and scalable approach for prevascularized tissue engineering.
• This method facilitates the spontaneous formation of functional vascular networks without sacrificial materials or perfusion.
• The developed technique holds broad applicability for the engineering and translation of various functional vascularized tissues.