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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Microfluidic Bioprinting for Engineering Vascularized Tissues and Organoids
Published on: August 11, 2017
3D Printed Angiogenin-Functionalized Bioresorbable Tubular Conduits for Biological Vascularization
Tanutrushna Sahoo1,2, Samir Das1, Sheeba Sonali1
1School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India.
Insights
This study developed a 3D-printed silk fibroin-gelatin methacrylate stent functionalized with angiogenin. This bioresorbable vascular scaffold shows promise for cardiovascular regeneration due to its mechanical properties and pro-angiogenic activity.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Vascular damage and obstruction cause severe pathological conditions, contributing significantly to mortality.
- Current treatments for cardiovascular disorders face limitations in addressing vascular integrity.
- Developing advanced biomaterials for vascular repair is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize a bioresorbable tubular stent for cardiovascular tissue regeneration.
- To functionalize the stent with angiogenin to promote vascular healing.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and bioresorbability of the developed stent.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a composite ink using silk fibroin (SF) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA).
- 3D printing of tubular stents and surface functionalization with angiogenin.
- Rheological analysis, mechanical testing (tensile strength, elongation), bioresorbability, hemolysis, and cell viability assays.
- Computational modeling to assess protein-stent binding.
Main Results:
- The 15% SF-GelMA ink exhibited shear-thinning and thermosensitive sol-gel properties.
- 3D-printed stents demonstrated mechanical stability (0.45 MPa tensile strength, 17% elongation) under wet conditions.
- Angiogenin-functionalized stents showed 20-25% bioresorbability over 15 days, low hemolysis (1%), and enhanced cell viability (45% increase).
- Computational modeling confirmed stable binding between angiogenic proteins and the stent.
Conclusions:
- A 3D-printed, angiogenin-functionalized SF-GelMA stent offers a promising approach for cardiovascular tissue regeneration.
- The stent combines structural integrity, biocompatibility, and pro-angiogenic properties.
- This biomaterial holds potential for developing advanced vascular grafts and regenerative therapies.
Abstract:
Structural integrity of blood vessels is critical for maintaining physiological function in vivo. Damage or obstruction of capillaries and vessels that disrupt normal blood flow can lead to severe pathological conditions. Cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and aneurysms account for nearly 25% of total mortality. To address this clinical challenge, a bioresorbable tubular stent was fabricated using a composite ink of silk fibroin (SF) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), followed by surface functionalization with angiogenin cues. Rheological analysis of 15% SF-GelMA inks demonstrated shear-thinning behavior with a thermosensitive sol-gel transition. 3D-printed stents showed post-printing mechanical stability and compliance, exhibiting ∼0.45 MPa tensile strength with ∼17% elongation, thereby mimicking native soft vascular tissue under wet conditions. Following angiogenin functionalization, the resultant stents evidenced 20-25% bioresorbability over 15 days with low hemolysis (∼1%) and ∼45% higher cell viability in vitro over 5 days. Additionally, the computational modeling outcome of strong, stable binding between angiogenic proteins and activated SF-GelMA stent aligns with experimental outcomes. Overall, this study demonstrates potential of a 3D-printed, angiogenin-functionalized SF-GelMA tubular stent as a promising candidate for cardiovascular tissue regeneration, offering a synergistic combination of structural fidelity, biocompatibility, and pro-angiogenic activity.
