by Pohang University of Science and Technology

Fabrication process of S-SDVs and the results of HUVECs migration through pores. Credit: POSTECH

Due to the substantial clinical demand for artificial small-diameter vessels (SDVs), numerous commercial products have emerged. However, most existing artificial SDVs lack an endothelial layer, leading to thrombosis. Fabricating artificial SDVs with a consistently uniform endothelial layer and adequate mechanical properties has proven exceptionally challenging.

Recently, a team of researchers collaborated to address this issue. They recently employed cutting-edge 3D printing technology with a dragging technique to produce SDVs featuring pores capable of forming an endothelium. Their research findings were published in the journal Bioactive Materials.

The team innovated a dragging 3D printing technique enabling the fabrication of pore structures without the need for extra materials or devices while maintaining precise control over pore size. Employing this technique, they produced artificial SDVs with a porous, multilayered design.

These vessels were then infused with a combination of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) using a natural polymeric bio-ink. Remarkably, the HUVECs migrated through the pores, reaching the innermost layer of the artificial SDV and establishing an endothelium with the extent of coverage dependent on the pore size.

The team achieved coverage of up to 97.68 ± 0.4% of the artificial SDV surface with the endothelium, preventing platelet adhesion. This approach allowed the creation of an artificial SDV capable of autonomously forming its own endothelium solely through the presence of pores, eliminating the need for additional processing steps.

Professor Jinah Jang explained, "This research marks the first use of advanced dragging 3D printing technology and harnesses the properties of HUVECs for the development of spontaneous cellular assembly small diameter vessels (S-SDVs).

"Their robust stability and mechanical characteristics not only render them suitable for transplantation but also position them as valuable for the future endothelialization of intricate vascular structures such as those with branches and curves."

More information: Hun-Jin Jeong et al, Dragging 3D printing technique controls pore sizes of tissue engineered blood vessels to induce spontaneous cellular assembly, Bioactive Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.07.021

Provided by Pohang University of Science and Technology