Vascularized Microtissues
Vascularized Microtissues - Related Videos
11:28
3D Microtissues for Injectable Regenerative Therapy and High-throughput Drug Screening
0 Views •
Cited by 7 •
2017
This protocol describes the fabrication of elastic 3D macroporous microcryogels by integrating microfabrication with cryogelation technology. Upon loading with cells, 3D microtissues are generated, which can be readily injected in vivo to facilitate regenerative therapy or assembled into arrays for in vitro high-throughput drug screening.
09:56
Layer-by-layer Collagen Deposition in Microfluidic Devices for Microtissue Stabilization
0 Views •
Cited by 7 •
2015
The creation of functional microtissues within microfluidic devices requires the stabilization of cell phenotypes by adapting traditional cell culture techniques to the limited spatial dimensions in microdevices. Modification of collagen allows the layer-by-layer deposition of ultrathin collagen assemblies that can stabilize primary cells, such as hepatocytes, as microfluidic tissue models.
08:18
Engineered Vascularized Muscle Flap
0 Views •
Cited by 6 •
2016
To date, thick tissue defects are typically reconstructed by applying autologous tissue flaps or engineered tissues. In this protocol, we present a new method for engineering vascularized tissue flap bearing an autologous pedicle, to serve as a substitute to autologous flaps.
11:10
Visualization of Vascular and Parenchymal Regeneration after 70% Partial Hepatectomy in Normal Mice
0 Views •
Cited by 3 •
2016
Tools used for visualizing vascular regeneration require methods for contrasting the vascular trees. This film demonstrated a delicate injection technique used to achieve optimal contrasting of the vascular trees and illustrate the potential benefits resulting from a detailed analysis of the resulting specimen using µCT and histological serial sections.
09:30
Assessing Functional Metrics of Skeletal Muscle Health in Human Skeletal Muscle Microtissues
0 Views •
Cited by 7 •
2021
This manuscript describes a detailed protocol to produce arrays of 3D human skeletal muscle microtissues and minimally invasive downstream in situ assays of function, including contractile force and calcium handling analyses.
FAQs
The key structural event is endothelial self-assembly into interconnected, blood-vessel-like networks followed by lumen formation. These lumens provide internal pathways that improve access to oxygen, nutrients, and signaling molecules throughout the three-dimensional model. Incorporating this organization helps the microtissue reproduce transport-related features that are difficult to capture in otherwise nonvascularized cultures.
Parenchymal cells provide the tissue-specific cellular component, while endothelial and supporting stromal cells contribute to the vascularized cellular organization. Biomaterials or engineered matrices supply the three-dimensional environment in which these populations are arranged and endothelial networks can form. Controlling this cellular and material context allows bioengineers to construct models with more tissue-like architecture.
Nonvascularized models lack blood-vessel-like networks that distribute oxygen, nutrients, and signaling molecules through the tissue volume. Adding endothelial networks and lumens creates a transport architecture that more closely reflects three-dimensional tissue organization. This distinction can improve the relevance of model observations, particularly when researchers examine how tissue structure influences biochemical behavior or treatment responses.
A typical workflow organizes parenchymal, endothelial, and supporting stromal cells within a biomaterial or engineered matrix, followed by culture under controlled conditions that support endothelial self-assembly and lumen formation. Researchers can then examine the resulting architecture with microscopy and assess biochemical features using biochemical analysis. These complementary readouts connect structural organization with tissue behavior.
Researchers can apply these models to investigate vascular development, reproduce disease-related tissue behavior, and evaluate drug responses or toxicity. Their three-dimensional organization and improved transport features offer a context that may be more informative than nonvascularized cultures for observing how treatments affect cells within tissue-like architecture. Microscopy and biochemical analysis support evaluation of those responses.
In tissue repair and regenerative medicine, Vascularized Microtissues provide an engineered setting for studying how tissue cells and vessel-like networks can be organized together. Their ability to reproduce aspects of tissue architecture and transport makes them useful for developing repair strategies. The models also allow researchers to monitor organization and biochemical behavior before considering broader regenerative applications.