Regulation of vascular branch formation in 3D bioprinted tissues using confining force. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Guangliang; Cao, Gaobiao; Gu, Cheng; Fu, Yi; Jin, Guangzhe; Tang, Linfeng; Wang, Huan; Li, Jiaying; Le, Yingying; Cao, Shengjun; Han, Fengxuan; Ju, Jihui; Li, Bin; Hou, Ruixing
• Is Part Of: Applied materials today. Volume 26(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Vascular -- Branch formation -- 3D bioprinting -- Skin regeneration; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2021.101240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-9407

Abstract

Highlights: Formation of vascular branches regulated by 3D bioprinted confined force. Confined force was created by PCL framework and changed according to the size of the PCL framework. Confined forces were generated by contractile activity of the cells enclosed in the hydrogel and were the sum of the contractile forces. Size of fibrin-cell strips has effects of confined force on branch formation. YAP was involved in the regulation of branch formation by confined force. Abstract: The quality of the vascular network is key to the success of skin transplants. For skin grafts prepared using a tissue engineering approach, vascularization is a critical step determining tissue survival. Prevascularization of bioengineered tissues is the basis for the effective establishment of high-quality vascular networks. Previously, we established a 3D bioprinted model to simulate the mechanical stimulation of vascular tissue development. Based on this, here, we create a prevascularized tissue using 3D bioprinting and show that the vascular branches of the tissue can be controlled by the confining forces created by changing the size of the polycaprolactone (PCL) framework. In addition, it was found that the Yes-associated protein (YAP) participates in the regulation of vascular branch formation in the tissue. A close relationship was found between the width of the cell-fibrin strip, the magnitude of the force and the number of vascular branches in the bioprinted tissue exists. Together, our findings indicate that vascularization of engineered skin tissue is a complex yet controllable process, and precise mechanical control can lead to effective vascular network generation. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract Regulation of Vascular Branch Formation in 3D Bioprinted Tissues using Confining Force. The polycaprolactone (PCL) framework leads to the creation of confining forces in 3D bioprinted construct embedded with a coculture of human normal dermal fibroblasts (HNDFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) . The vascular alignment and branches were regulated by size change of confining force and cell-hydrogel strip. The confining forces was controlled by changing the size of PCL framework.