3D Liver Tissue Model with Branched Vascular Networks by Multimaterial Bioprinting. Issue 23 (20th October 2021) - Liu, Xin
Abstract: Complicated vessels pervade almost all body tissues and influence the pathophysiology of the human body significantly. However, current fabrication strategies have limited success at multiscale vascular biofabrication. This study reports a methodology to fabricate soft vascularized tissue at centimeter scale using multimaterial bioprinting by a customized multistage‐temperature‐control printer. The printed constructs can be perfused via the branched endothelialized vasculatures to support the well‐formed 3D capillary networks, which ensure cellular activities with sufficient nutrient supply and then mimic a mature and functional liver tissue in terms of synthesis of liver‐specific proteins. Moreover, an inner and external pressure‐bearing layer is printed to support the direct surgical anastomosis of the carotid artery to the jugular vein. In summary, a versatile platform to recapitulate the vasculature network is presented, in which case sustaining the optimal cellularization in engineered tissues is achievable. Abstract : The 3D printing engineering method reported in this article fabricates centimeter‐scale vascularized soft tissues with high viability and accuracy using multimaterial bioprinting. Furthermore, it allows the fabrication of vascular networks in centimeter‐scale hepatic tissues with active tissue functionality in vitro and in vivo, potentially providing a model for regenerative medicine.