Engineering a 3D vascular network in hydrogel for mimicking a nephron

Lab Chip. 2013 Apr 21;13(8):1612-8. doi: 10.1039/c3lc41342j.

Abstract

Engineering functional vascular networks in vitro is critical for tissue engineering and a variety of applications. There is still a general lack of straightforward approaches for recapitulating specific structures and functions of vasculature. This report describes a microfluidic method that utilizes fibrillogenesis of collagen and a liquid mold to engineer three-dimensional vascular networks in hydrogel. The well-controlled vascular network demonstrates both mechanical stability for perfusing solutions and biocompatibility for cell adhesion and coverage. This technique enables the mimicry of passive diffusion in a nephron one of the main routes transferring soluble organic molecules. This approach could be used for in vitro modelling of mass transfer-involved physiology in vasculature-rich tissues and organs for regeneration and drug screening.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen / chemistry
  • Diffusion
  • Dogs
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / chemistry*
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods
  • Nephrons / metabolism
  • Tissue Engineering*

Substances

  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
  • Collagen