Advancing tissue engineering through vascularized cell spheroids: building blocks of the future

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Vascularization is critical for engineered tissues, supporting cell survival and function.
• Spheroids offer a promising platform for developing vascular networks through angiogenesis and prevascularization.
• Creating biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironments for vascularized spheroids remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in biofabrication for creating vascularized spheroids.
• To systematically analyze strategies for constructing vascularized spheroids, including ECM modulation and cell co-culture.
• To explore the applications of vascularized spheroids in various tissue models and identify future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on vascularized spheroid biofabrication.
• Analysis of techniques for creating biomimetic ECM microenvironments.
• Integration of microfluidics and bioprinting for spheroid construction.

Main Results:

• Vascularized spheroids show significant potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
• Advanced biofabrication techniques, including microfluidics and bioprinting, offer solutions for spheroid construction.
• Spheroids have demonstrated efficacy in promoting vascularization in diverse tissue models (skin, liver, bone, cardiac, tumor).

Conclusions:

• Vascularized spheroids are a vital component of advanced tissue engineering.
• Continued research into biomimetic ECM and integrated biofabrication technologies is essential.
• Optimizing vascularized spheroids will accelerate progress in regenerative medicine and disease modeling.