Bioinstructive Layer-by-Layer-Coated Customizable 3D Printed Perfusable Microchannels Embedded in Photocrosslinkable...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Creating large, complex 3D vascularized tissue constructs is a key challenge in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM).
• Existing strategies for vascularizing 3D constructs have not fully achieved functional vascular networks, limiting long-term cell survival and tissue function.
• The development of perfusable vascular networks is crucial for nutrient and waste transport in engineered tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an alternative approach for bioengineering 3D vascularized constructs.
• To develop a method for creating bioinstructive 3D multilayered microchannels within hydrogels.
• To enhance cell adhesion and create perfusable channels mimicking biological barriers.

Main Methods:

• Combined 3D printing of alginate (ALG) sacrificial microstructures with layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly.
• LbL coating of ALG structures with chitosan and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-coupled ALG multilayers.
• Embedding coated structures in xanthan gum hydrogels and using a calcium-chelating solution to form perfusable microchannels.

Main Results:

• Successfully created customizable 3D sacrificial microstructures using biocompatible alginate.
• Developed perfusable multilayered microchannels that mimic biological barriers like the basement membrane.
• Demonstrated enhanced endothelial cell adhesion within the engineered microchannels.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers a promising strategy for bioengineering 3D vascularized constructs.
• This approach holds potential for creating large-scale vascularized tissues for modular TERM strategies.
• The technique facilitates improved cell adhesion and the formation of functional microvascular networks.