Formation of perfused, functional microvascular tubes in vitro

This work describes the formation, perfusion, and maturation of three-dimensional microvascular tubes in vitro. These tubes consisted of confluent monolayers of human endothelial cells that lined open, cylindrical channels within collagen gels. Perivascular cells could be directly embedded within th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microvascular research 2006-05, Vol.71 (3), p.185-196
Main Authors: Chrobak, Kenneth M., Potter, Daniel R., Tien, Joe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Capillary Permeability
Cell Adhesion
Cells, Cultured
Collagen
Collagen gel
Endothelial Cells - cytology
Endothelial Cells - physiology
HL-60 Cells
Humans
In vitro endothelial tube
Leukocytes - cytology
Microcirculation - anatomy & histology
Microcirculation - physiology
Microvascular tissue engineering
Microvessel perfusion
Perfusion
Surface Properties
Temperature
Tissue Engineering - instrumentation
Tissue Engineering - methods
Venules
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Summary:This work describes the formation, perfusion, and maturation of three-dimensional microvascular tubes in vitro. These tubes consisted of confluent monolayers of human endothelial cells that lined open, cylindrical channels within collagen gels. Perivascular cells could be directly embedded within the gels or added after endothelial cells grew to confluence. The tubes spanned the entire 5–7 mm extent of the gels; their diameters initially ranged from 55 to 120 μm and increased to 75–150 μm after maturation. Endothelial tubes displayed a strong barrier function over 5 days, resisted adhesion of leukocytes, and reacted quickly to inflammatory stimuli by breakdown of the barrier and support of leukocyte adhesion. These tubes resembled venules and “giant” capillaries in both their cellular organization and function, and we believe that they will serve as useful in vitro models of inflammation under constant perfusion.
ISSN:0026-2862
1095-9319
DOI:10.1016/j.mvr.2006.02.005