Preparation and endothelialization of multi-level vessel-like network in enzymated gelatin scaffolds
Title of Paper:
Preparation and endothelialization of multi-level vessel-like network in enzymated gelatin scaffolds
Journal:
Journal of Bionic Engineering
Summary:
Loss of function of large tissues is an urgent clinical problem. Although the artificial microfluidic network fabricated in large tissue-engineered constructs has great promise, it is still difficult to develop an efficient vessel-like design to meet the requirements of the biomimetic vascular network for tissue engineering applications. In this study, we used a facile approach to fabricate a branched and multi-level vessel-like network in a large muscle scaffolds by combining stereolithography (SL) technology and enzymatic crosslinking mechanism. The morphology of the microchannel cross sections was characterized using micro-computed tomography. The square cross sections were gradually changed to a seamless circular microfluidic network, which is similar to the natural blood vessel. In the different microchannels, the velocity greatly affected the attachment and spread of human umbilical endothelial cell (HUVEC)-green fluorescent protein (GFP). Our study demonstrated that the branched and multi-level microchannel network simulates biomimetic microenvironments to maintain cellular viability. The gelatin scaffolds in the circular vessel-like networks will likely support myoblast and surrounding tissue for clinical use.
Co-author:
GR Dong, Q Lian*, LX Yang, eta
Papers
