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An encapsulated fibrin-based bioartificial tissue construct with integrated macrovessels, microchannels, and
Florian Helms1,2, Sarah Zippusch1,2, Jonathan Theilen1
1Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|April 29, 2022
Summary
Researchers engineered a bioartificial tissue construct using fibrin, endothelial cells, and stem cells. This self-supporting construct features integrated vessels and a stable capsule, enabling nutrient supply for organ bioengineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Effective nutrient and oxygen supply is crucial for large-scale bioartificial constructs in organ bioengineering.
- Organ bioengineering requires dense capillary networks and large-diameter vessels for vascular anastomosis, posing significant challenges in matrix generation and in vitro cultivation.
- Bioartificial constructs need robust biomechanical stability to endure implantation stresses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a prevascularized bioartificial tissue construct with enhanced nutrient/oxygen supply and biomechanical stability.
- To create a self-supporting construct capable of supporting homogeneous capillary-like network formation.
- To establish a versatile matrix for various tissue engineering applications.
Main Methods:
- Development of a fibrin matrix incorporating human umbilical vein endothelial cells and adipose tissue-derived stem cells.
- Integration of a dense acellular fibrin capsule for biomechanical support.
- Incorporation of two fibrin-based macrovessels connected by microchannels through the cellularized core.
- Perfusion culture in a custom bioreactor for 4 days.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous capillary-like network formation was observed throughout the core matrix after 4 days of perfusion.
- The acellular fibrin capsule provided significant biomechanical stabilization to the core matrix.
- The construct demonstrated self-supporting properties, indicating successful matrix generation and stabilization.
Conclusions:
- The developed fibrin-based bioartificial tissue construct successfully integrates vascularization and biomechanical stability.
- This prevascularized matrix serves as a universal platform for seeding diverse cell types in tissue engineering.
- The approach addresses key challenges in nutrient/oxygen supply and mechanical integrity for organ bioengineering.
