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Updated: Jul 15, 2025
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Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
Published on: September 9, 2016
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In vivo acoustic patterning of endothelial cells for tissue vascularization
Eric S Comeau1, Melinda A Vander Horst1, Carol H Raeman1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, 308 Goergen Hall, P.O. Box 270168, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA.
Scientific Reports
|September 26, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel ultrasound technology to create functional microvascular networks in vivo. This acoustic patterning technique guides endothelial cells to self-assemble into perfused blood vessels, offering a new approach for tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Tissue ischemia necessitates microvascular networks mimicking native vessels.
- Current tissue engineering strategies lack in vivo fabrication methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advance ultrasound technology for in vivo fabrication of complex microvascular networks.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of acoustic patterning for in vivo vascularization.
Main Methods:
- Developed a dual-transducer ultrasound system for site-specific in vivo ultrasound standing wave fields (USWFs).
- Utilized USWFs to pattern injected cells and microparticles into geometric assemblies within collagen hydrogels.
- Administered acoustic patterning to endothelial cells in immunodeficient mice.
Main Results:
- Successfully patterned injected cells into parallel sheets in vivo.
- Demonstrated formation of perfused microvessels from patterned endothelial cells within 7 days.
- Observed survival of patterned cells, unlike non-patterned controls.
Conclusions:
- Externally applied ultrasound fields can guide endothelial cell self-assembly into functional microvascular networks in vivo.
- Acoustic patterning offers a non-invasive, ultrasound-mediated approach for in vivo tissue engineering.
- This study provides the first proof-of-concept for ultrasound-guided in vivo vascular network fabrication.
