In vitro formation of capillary networks using optical lithographic techniques.
Tissue engineering approaches have been developed for vascular grafts, but success has been limited to arterial replacements of large-caliber vessels. We have developed an innovative technique to transplant engineered capillary networks by printing techniques. Endothelial cells were cultured on a patterned substrate, in which network patterns were generated by prior optical lithography. Subsequently, the patterned cells were transferred to extracellular matrix and tissue at which point they changed their morphologies and formed tubular structures. Microinjection of dye showed that the micrometer-scale tubular structure had in vitro flow potential. When capillary-like networks engineered on amnion membranes were transplanted into mice, we found blood cells inside of the lumen of the transplanted capillary-like structure. This is the first report of the in vitro formation of capillary networks using cell transfer technique, and this novel technique may open the way for development of rapid and effective blood perfusion systems in regenerative medicine.
Kobayashi
Akiko
A
Department of Cellular Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan.
Miyake
Hideyuki
H
Hattori
Hideshi
H
Kuwana
Rumiko
R
Hiruma
Yuko
Y
Nakahama
Ken-ichi
K
Ichinose
Shizuko
S
Ota
Masato
M
Nakamura
Makoto
M
Takeda
Satoru
S
Morita
Ikuo
I
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D002196:Capillaries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D016378:Tissue Transplantation
D004396:Coloring Agents