Fabrication of endothelialized capillary-like microchannel networks using sacrificial thermoresponsive microfibers

In the body, capillary beds fulfill the metabolic needs of cells by acting as the sites of diffusive transport for vital gasses and nutrients. In artificial tissues, replicating the scale and complexity of capillaries has proved challenging, especially in a three-dimensional context. In order to bet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biofabrication 2024-11, Vol.17 (1), p.15023
Main Authors: Rector IV, John A, McBride, Lucas, Weber, Callie M, Grossman, Kira, Sorets, Alexander, Ventura-Antunes, Lissa, Holtz, Isabella, Young, Katherine, Schrag, Matthew, Lippmann, Ethan S, Bellan, Leon M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
artificial capillaries
Capillaries - physiology
Cell Survival
Coculture Techniques
Endothelial Cells - cytology
Endothelial Cells - metabolism
engineered microvasculature
Fibroblasts - cytology
Fibroblasts - metabolism
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells - metabolism
Humans
Hydrogels - chemistry
microfibers
Soluplus
Temperature
thermoresponsive polymer
Tissue Engineering
top–down fabrication
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Summary:In the body, capillary beds fulfill the metabolic needs of cells by acting as the sites of diffusive transport for vital gasses and nutrients. In artificial tissues, replicating the scale and complexity of capillaries has proved challenging, especially in a three-dimensional context. In order to better develop thick artificial tissues, it will be necessary to recreate both the form and function of capillaries. Here we demonstrate a top-down method of patterning hydrogels using sacrificial templates formed from thermoresponsive microfibers whose size and architecture approach those of natural capillaries. Within the resulting microchannels, we cultured endothelial monolayers that remain viable for over three weeks and exhibited functional barrier properties. Additionally, we cultured endothelialized microchannels within hydrogels containing fibroblasts and characterized the viability of the co-cultures to demonstrate this approach's potential when applied to cell-laden hydrogels. This method represents a step forward in the evolution of artificial tissues and a path towards producing viable capillary-scale microvasculature for engineered organs.
ISSN:1758-5082
1758-5090
1758-5090
DOI:10.1088/1758-5090/ad867d