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Engineering Microvascular Networks in LED Light-Cured Cell-Laden Hydrogels.
Nelson Monteiro1, Wenting He1, Cristiane Miranda Franca1
1Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, OHSU School of Dentistry, 2730 Southwest Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 13, 2021
Summary
Researchers optimized vascularized tissue engineering using light-emitting diode (LED) photopolymerized gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels (GelMA). Lower photoinitiator concentrations and higher cell densities promoted efficient vasculature network formation and stem cell differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Vascularization is crucial for engineered tissues to integrate with host vasculature.
- Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels offer tunable properties for tissue engineering applications.
- Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are key cell types for vascularized constructs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of GelMA hydrogel properties and cell density on vasculature network formation.
- To evaluate the role of lithium acylphosphinate (LAP) concentration in photopolymerization and mechanical properties.
- To assess SCAP differentiation into pericyte-like cells within the engineered constructs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of GelMA hydrogels using varying LAP concentrations (0.05-0.1%) and cell densities (1x, 5x, 10x10^6 cells/mL).
- Photopolymerization of hydrogels using a light-emitting diode (LED) light source for 5 seconds.
- Characterization of hydrogel mechanical properties (compressive modulus).
- Assessment of vasculature network formation and SCAP differentiation (αSMA expression) via immunofluorescence.
Main Results:
- GelMA hydrogel stiffness increased with LAP concentration, reaching a maximum of 3.2 kPa.
- Optimal vasculature formation was observed with 0.05% or 0.075% LAP and the highest cell density (10x10^6 cells/mL).
- SCAP cells demonstrated close contact with endothelial networks and expressed αSMA, indicating pericyte-like differentiation, particularly at 0.05% LAP and high cell density.
Conclusions:
- LED photopolymerization of GelMA hydrogels is an effective method for creating vascularized tissue constructs.
- Hydrogel properties and cell density significantly influence vascular network formation and cell behavior.
- This approach holds potential for chair-side/in situ applications in regenerative medicine.
