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Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
Published on: September 9, 2016
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Introduction of vasculature in engineered three-dimensional tissue
Sachiko Sekiya1, Tatsuya Shimizu1
1Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan.
Inflammation and Regeneration
|December 21, 2017
Summary
This review outlines a three-step strategy for vascularizing engineered tissues, crucial for scaling up three-dimensional constructs. These methods enable the creation of functional, vascularized tissues for regenerative medicine and drug testing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Advancements in tissue engineering allow for the creation of complex three-dimensional (3D) tissues.
- Scaling up 3D tissues is limited by the challenge of integrating functional vasculature.
- Efficient vascularization is essential for nutrient and oxygen supply in thicker engineered tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize methods for inducing vascularization in 3D engineered tissues.
- To present a framework for achieving controllable vascularization in tissue engineering.
- To highlight the importance of vascularization for functional tissue development.
Main Methods:
- A three-step approach: 'selection' of vascularization-capable cells and materials, 'assembly' using techniques like cell sheet engineering or 3D printing to form vascular networks, and 'perfusion' for blood vessel maturation.
- Selection involves choosing cells and biomaterials that promote angiogenesis.
- Assembly technologies like 3D printing and cell sheet engineering create 3D tissue structures with integrated vasculature.
- Perfusion techniques utilize a unified inlet and outlet to perfuse culture medium or blood, promoting functional blood vessel development.
Main Results:
- The combination of selection, assembly, and perfusion technologies allows for the simulation of perivascular microenvironments.
- This approach drives vascularization within 3D tissues, leading to functional blood vessel networks.
- The methods discussed enable the creation of vascularized tissues suitable for transplantation and functional testing.
Conclusions:
- Creating a biomimetic microenvironment is key to inducing appropriate cell interactions, morphology, and function, accelerating vascularization.
- Vascularized 3D tissues are highly functional and essential for advancing regenerative medicine.
- These engineered vascularized tissues hold significant promise for drug discovery and safety testing applications.
