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Bartolf-Kopp M, Jungst T. The Past, Present, and Future of Tubular Melt Electrowritten Constructs to Mimic Small Diameter Blood Vessels - A Stable Process? Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400426. [PMID: 38607966 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Melt Electrowriting (MEW) is a continuously growing manufacturing platform. Its advantage is the consistent production of micro- to nanometer fibers, that stack intricately, forming complex geometrical shapes. MEW allows tuning of the mechanical properties of constructs via the geometry of deposited fibers. Due to this, MEW can create complex mechanics only seen in multi-material compounds and serve as guiding structures for cellular alignment. The advantage of MEW is also shown in combination with other biotechnological manufacturing methods to create multilayered constructs that increase mechanical approximation to native tissues, biocompatibility, and cellular response. These features make MEW constructs a perfect candidate for small-diameter vascular graft structures. Recently, studies have presented fascinating results in this regard, but is this truly the direction that tubular MEW will follow or are there also other options on the horizon? This perspective will explore the origins and developments of tubular MEW and present its growing importance in the field of artificial small-diameter vascular grafts with mechanical modulation and improved biomimicry and the impact of it in convergence with other manufacturing methods and how future technologies like AI may influence its progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bartolf-Kopp
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Biofabrication and Functional Materials, University of Würzburg and KeyLab Polymers for Medicine of the Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tomasz Jungst
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Biofabrication and Functional Materials, University of Würzburg and KeyLab Polymers for Medicine of the Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Orthopedics, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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2
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Margolis EA, Choi LS, Friend NE, Putnam AJ. Engineering primitive multiscale chimeric vasculature by combining human microvessels with explanted murine vessels. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4036. [PMID: 38369633 PMCID: PMC10874928 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54880-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Strategies to separately manufacture arterial-scale tissue engineered vascular grafts and microvascular networks have been well-established, but efforts to bridge these two length scales to create hierarchical vasculature capable of supporting parenchymal cell functions or restoring perfusion to ischemic tissues have been limited. This work aimed to create multiscale vascular constructs by assessing the capability of macroscopic vessels isolated from mice to form functional connections to engineered capillary networks ex vivo. Vessels of venous and arterial origins from both thoracic and femoral locations were isolated from mice, and then evaluated for their abilities to sprout endothelial cells (EC) capable of inosculating with surrounding human cell-derived microvasculature within bulk fibrin hydrogels. Comparing aortae, vena cavae, and femoral vessel bundles, we identified the thoracic aorta as the rodent macrovessel that yielded the greatest degree of sprouting and interconnection to surrounding capillaries. The presence of cells undergoing vascular morphogenesis in the surrounding hydrogel attenuated EC sprouting from the macrovessel compared to sprouting into acellular hydrogels, but ultimately sprouted mouse EC interacted with human cell-derived capillary networks in the bulk, yielding chimeric vessels. We then integrated micromolded mesovessels into the constructs to engineer a primitive 3-scale vascular hierarchy comprising capillaries, mesovessels, and macrovessels. Overall, this study yielded a primitive hierarchical vasculature suitable as proof-of-concept for regenerative medicine applications and as an experimental model to better understand the spontaneous formation of host-graft vessel anastomoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Margolis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2204 Lurie Biomedical Eng. Bldg., 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Lucia S Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2204 Lurie Biomedical Eng. Bldg., 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Nicole E Friend
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2204 Lurie Biomedical Eng. Bldg., 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Andrew J Putnam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2204 Lurie Biomedical Eng. Bldg., 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Wang H, Xiao Y, Fang Z, Zhang Y, Yang L, Zhao C, Meng Z, Liu Y, Li C, Han Q, Feng Z. Fabrication and performance evaluation of PLCL-hCOLIII small-diameter vascular grafts crosslinked with procyanidins. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 251:126293. [PMID: 37591423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease has become one of the main causes of death. It is the common goal of researchers worldwide to develop small-diameter vascular grafts to meet clinical needs. Collagen is a valuable biomaterial that has been used in the preparation of vascular grafts and has shown good results. Recombinant humanized collagen (RHC) has the advantages of clear chemical structure, batch stability, no virus hazard and low immunogenicity compared with animal-derived collagen, which can be developed as vascular materials. In this study, Poly (l-lactide- ε-caprolactone) with l-lactide/ε-caprolactone (PLCL) and type III recombinant humanized collagen (hCOLIII) were selected as raw materials to prepare vascular grafts, which were prepared by the same-nozzle electrospinning apparatus. Meanwhile, procyanidin (PC), a plant polyphenol, was used to cross-link the vascular grafts. The physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the fabricated vascular grafts were investigated by comparing with glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinked vascular grafts and pure PLCL grafts. Finally, the performance of PC cross-linked PLCL-hCOLIII vascular grafts were evaluated by rabbit carotid artery transplantation model. The results indicate that the artificial vascular grafts have good cell compatibility, blood compatibility, and anti-calcification performance, and can remain unobstructed after 30 days carotid artery transplantation in rabbits. The grafts also showed inhibitory effects on the proliferation of SMCs and intimal hyperplasia, demonstrating its excellent performance as small diameter vascular grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China; National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Yonghao Xiao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhiping Fang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuanguo Zhang
- Department of Thyroid-Breast-Vascular Surgery, Shanxian Central Hospital, Heze, Shandong 274300, China
| | - Liu Yang
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Chenyu Zhao
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Zhu Meng
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Yu Liu
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China; Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, China
| | - Chongchong Li
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Qianqian Han
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China.
| | - Zengguo Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Margolis EA, Friend NE, Rolle MW, Alsberg E, Putnam AJ. Manufacturing the multiscale vascular hierarchy: progress toward solving the grand challenge of tissue engineering. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1400-1416. [PMID: 37169690 PMCID: PMC10593098 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In human vascular anatomy, blood flows from the heart to organs and tissues through a hierarchical vascular tree, comprising large arteries that branch into arterioles and further into capillaries, where gas and nutrient exchange occur. Engineering a complete, integrated vascular hierarchy with vessels large enough to suture, strong enough to withstand hemodynamic forces, and a branching structure to permit immediate perfusion of a fluidic circuit across scales would be transformative for regenerative medicine (RM), enabling the translation of engineered tissues of clinically relevant size, and perhaps whole organs. How close are we to solving this biological plumbing problem? In this review, we highlight advances in engineered vasculature at individual scales and focus on recent strategies to integrate across scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Margolis
- University of Michigan, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicole E Friend
- University of Michigan, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marsha W Rolle
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Eben Alsberg
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew J Putnam
- University of Michigan, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Justin AW, Cammarata F, Guy AA, Estevez SR, Burgess S, Davaapil H, Stavropoulou-Tatla A, Ong J, Jacob AG, Saeb-Parsy K, Sinha S, Markaki AE. Densified collagen tubular grafts for human tissue replacement and disease modelling applications. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 145:213245. [PMID: 36549149 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
There is a significant need across multiple indications for an off-the-shelf bioengineered tubular graft which fulfils the mechanical and biological requirements for implantation and function but does not necessarily require cells for manufacture or deployment. Herein, we present a tissue-like tubular construct using a cell-free, materials-based method of manufacture, utilizing densified collagen hydrogel. Our tubular grafts are seamless, mechanically strong, customizable in terms of lumen diameter and wall thickness, and display a uniform fibril density across the wall thickness and along the tube length. While the method enables acellular grafts to be generated rapidly, inexpensively, and to a wide range of specifications, the cell-compatible densification process also enables a high density of cells to be incorporated uniformly into the walls of the tubes, which we show can be maintained under perfusion culture. Additionally, the method enables tubes consisting of distinct cell domains with cellular configurations at the boundaries which may be useful for modelling aortic disease. Further, we demonstrate additional steps which allow for luminal surface patterning. These results highlight the universality of this approach and its potential for developing the next generation of bioengineered grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Justin
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.
| | - Federico Cammarata
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Andrew A Guy
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Silas R Estevez
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Sebastian Burgess
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Hongorzul Davaapil
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - John Ong
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK; East of England Gastroenterology Speciality Training Program, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aishwarya G Jacob
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Kourosh Saeb-Parsy
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Athina E Markaki
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.
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Human endothelial cells form an endothelium in freestanding collagen hollow filaments fabricated by direct extrusion printing. BIOMATERIALS AND BIOSYSTEMS 2022; 8:100067. [PMID: 36824376 PMCID: PMC9934428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbiosy.2022.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Fiber-shaped materials have great potential for tissue engineering applications as they provide structural support and spatial patterns within a three-dimensional construct. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of mechanically stable, meter-long collagen hollow filaments by a direct extrusion printing process. The fibres are permeable for oxygen and proteins and allow cultivation of primary human endothelial cells (ECs) at the inner surface under perfused conditions. The cells show typical characteristics of a well-organized EC lining including VE-cadherin expression, cellular response to flow and ECM production. The results demonstrate that the collagen tubes are capable of creating robust soft tissue filaments. The mechanical properties and the biofunctionality of these collagen hollow filaments facilitate the engineering of prevascularised tissue engineering constructs.
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Pedram P, Mazio C, Imparato G, Netti PA, Salerno A. Spatial patterning of PCL µ-scaffolds directs 3D vascularized bio-construct morphogenesis in vitro. Biofabrication 2022; 14. [PMID: 35917812 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac8620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Modular tissue engineering (mTE) strategies aim to build three-dimensional tissue analogues in vitro by the sapient combination of cells, micro-scaffolds (μ-scaffs) and bioreactors. The translation of these newly engineered tissues into current clinical approaches is, among other things, dependent on implant-to-host microvasculature integration, a critical issue for cells and tissue survival in vivo. In this work we reported, for the first time, a computer-aided modular approach suitable to build fully vascularized hybrid (biological/synthetic) constructs (bio-constructs) with micro-metric size scale control of blood vessels growth and orientation. The approach consists of four main steps, starting with the fabrication of polycaprolactone μ-scaffs by fluidic emulsion technique, which exhibit biomimetic porosity features. In the second step, layers of μ-scaffs following two different patterns, namely ordered and disordered, were obtained by a soft lithography-based process. Then, the as obtained μ-scaff patterns were used as template for human dermal fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells co-culture, aiming to promote and guide the biosynthesis of collagenous extracellular matrix and the growth of new blood vessels within the mono-layered bio-constructs. Finally, bi-layered bio-constructs were built by the alignment, stacking and fusion of two vascularized mono-layered samples featuring ordered patterns. Our results demonstrated that, if compared to the disordered pattern, the ordered one provided better control over bio-constructs shape and vasculature architecture, while minor effect was observed with respect to cell colonization and new tissue growth. Furthermore, by assembling two mono-layered bio-constructs it was possible to build 1-mm thick fully vascularized viable bio-constructs and to study tissue morphogenesis during 1 week of in vitro culture. In conclusion, our results highlighted the synergic role of μ-scaff architectural features and spatial patterning on cells colonization and biosynthesis, and pay the way for the possibility to create in silico designed vasculatures within modularly engineered bio-constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Pedram
- Italian Institute of Technology Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, Napoli, Campania, 80125, ITALY
| | - Claudia Mazio
- Italian Institute of Technology Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, Napoli, Campania, 80125, ITALY
| | - Giorgia Imparato
- Italian Institute of Technology Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, Napoli, Campania, 80125, ITALY
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- University of Naples Federico II Faculty of Engineering, Piazz.le Tecchio, Napoli, Campania, 80138, ITALY
| | - Aurelio Salerno
- Italian Institute of Technology Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, Napoli, 80125, ITALY
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Engineered human blood-brain barrier microfluidic model for vascular permeability analyses. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:95-128. [PMID: 34997242 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00635-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) greatly restricts the entry of biological and engineered therapeutic molecules into the brain. Due to challenges in translating results from animal models to the clinic, relevant in vitro human BBB models are needed to assess pathophysiological molecular transport mechanisms and enable the design of targeted therapies for neurological disorders. This protocol describes an in vitro model of the human BBB self-assembled within microfluidic devices from stem-cell-derived or primary brain endothelial cells, and primary brain pericytes and astrocytes. This protocol requires 1.5 d for device fabrication, 7 d for device culture and up to 5 d for downstream imaging, protein and gene expression analyses. Methodologies to measure the permeability of any molecule in the BBB model, which take 30 min per device, are also included. Compared with standard 2D assays, the BBB model features relevant cellular organization and morphological characteristics, as well as values of molecular permeability within the range expected in vivo. These properties, coupled with a functional brain endothelial expression profile and the capability to easily test several repeats with low reagent consumption, make this BBB model highly suitable for widespread use in academic and industrial laboratories.
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Mallis P, Kostakis A, Stavropoulos-Giokas C, Michalopoulos E. Future Perspectives in Small-Diameter Vascular Graft Engineering. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E160. [PMID: 33321830 PMCID: PMC7763104 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7040160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased demands of small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs) globally has forced the scientific society to explore alternative strategies utilizing the tissue engineering approaches. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprises one of the most lethal groups of non-communicable disorders worldwide. It has been estimated that in Europe, the healthcare cost for the administration of CVD is more than 169 billion €. Common manifestations involve the narrowing or occlusion of blood vessels. The replacement of damaged vessels with autologous grafts represents one of the applied therapeutic approaches in CVD. However, significant drawbacks are accompanying the above procedure; therefore, the exploration of alternative vessel sources must be performed. Engineered SDVGs can be produced through the utilization of non-degradable/degradable and naturally derived materials. Decellularized vessels represent also an alternative valuable source for the development of SDVGs. In this review, a great number of SDVG engineering approaches will be highlighted. Importantly, the state-of-the-art methodologies, which are currently employed, will be comprehensively presented. A discussion summarizing the key marks and the future perspectives of SDVG engineering will be included in this review. Taking into consideration the increased number of patients with CVD, SDVG engineering may assist significantly in cardiovascular reconstructive surgery and, therefore, the overall improvement of patients' life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Mallis
- Hellenic Cord Blood Bank, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.S.-G.); (E.M.)
| | - Alkiviadis Kostakis
- Center of Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Catherine Stavropoulos-Giokas
- Hellenic Cord Blood Bank, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.S.-G.); (E.M.)
| | - Efstathios Michalopoulos
- Hellenic Cord Blood Bank, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.S.-G.); (E.M.)
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