3D biofabrication of vascular networks for tissue regeneration: A report on recent advances

• Published in: Journal of pharmaceutical analysis 2018-10, Vol.8 (5), p.277-296
• Main Authors: Sarker, M.D., Naghieh, Saman, Sharma, N.K., Chen, Xiongbiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D bioprinting; Co-axial printing; Extrusion; Laser-based printing; Review Paper; Tissue engineering; Vascularization
• ISSN: 2095-1779; 2214-0883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2018.08.005

Rapid progress in tissue engineering research in past decades has opened up vast possibilities to tackle the challenges of generating tissues or organs that mimic native structures. The success of tissue engineered constructs largely depends on the incorporation of a stable vascular network that eventually anastomoses with the host vasculature to support the various biological functions of embedded cells. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved with respect to extrusion, laser, micro-molding, and electrospinning-based techniques that allow the fabrication of any geometry in a layer-by-layer fashion. Moreover, decellularized matrix, self-assembled structures, and cell sheets have been explored to replace the biopolymers needed for scaffold fabrication. While the techniques have evolved to create specific tissues or organs with outstanding geometric precision, formation of interconnected, functional, and perfused vascular networks remains a challenge. This article briefly reviews recent progress in 3D fabrication approaches used to fabricate vascular networks with incorporated cells, angiogenic factors, proteins, and/or peptides. The influence of the fabricated network on blood vessel formation, and the various features, merits, and shortcomings of the various fabrication techniques are discussed and summarized. [Display omitted] •Recent developments in direct/indirect extrusion-based fabrication techniques in vasculature formation.•Current status of laser-based, nano-scale, and biopolymer-free fabrication techniques in vascularization.•Highlights on the recent progress in micro-pattern and micro-module assemblies for vascularization.•Influence of decellularized matrix and mechanical spacer in tissue vascularization.