title: Direct 3D bioprinting of prevascularized tissue constructs with complex microarchitecture.
abstract: Living tissues rely heavily on vascular networks to transport nutrients, oxygen and metabolic waste. However, there still remains a need for a simple and efficient approach to engineer vascularized tissues. Here, we created prevascularized tissues with complex three-dimensional (3D) microarchitectures using a rapid bioprinting method - microscale continuous optical bioprinting (μCOB). Multiple cell types mimicking the native vascular cell composition were encapsulated directly into hydrogels with precisely controlled distribution without the need of sacrificial materials or perfusion. With regionally controlled biomaterial properties the endothelial cells formed lumen-like structures spontaneously in vitro. In vivo implantation demonstrated the survival and progressive formation of the endothelial network in the prevascularized tissue. Anastomosis between the bioprinted endothelial network and host circulation was observed with functional blood vessels featuring red blood cells. With the superior bioprinting speed, flexibility and scalability, this new prevascularization approach can be broadly applicable to the engineering and translation of various functional tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Xuanyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Sherrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Pengrui
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Cheuk Sun Edwin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan province, China.
authors.forename: Maling
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gou
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. Electronic address: chen168@eng.ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Shaochen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D055806:Microvessels / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
keywords: 3D bioprinting; Biomaterials; Complex microarchitecture; Tissue engineering; Vasculature