In Vitro Vascularization of Human Connective Microtissues
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Vascularization is one of the most central processes enabling multicellular life. Owing to the complexity of vascularization
regulatory networks, minor control imbalances often have severe pathologic consequences ranging from ischemic diseases to
cancer. Tissue engineers are immediately confronted with vascularization as artificial tissues of a clinically relevant size
require a vascular system to ensure vital physiologic logistics throughout the entire tissue and to enable rapid connection
to the host vasculature following implantation. Using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) coated onto a human
aortic fibroblast (HAF) core microtissue generated by gravity-enforced self-assembly in hanging drops, we created a tissue-culture
system for studying capillary network formation. We provide comprehensive technical insight into the design and analysis of
prototype vascularization in multicell-type-based microtissues. Detailed understanding of generic processes managing capillary
formation in human tissue culture may foster advances in the development of clinical tissue implants.
Affiliation(s): (3) Institute for Chemical and Bio-Engineering, ETH Zurich, Clinic of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgical Research
and Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Zurich University Hospital, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
(4) Clinic of Visceral Surgery, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
(5) Clinic of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgical Research and Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Zurich University Hospital, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
(6) Institute for Chemical and Bio-Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
(4) Clinic of Visceral Surgery, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
(5) Clinic of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgical Research and Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Zurich University Hospital, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
(6) Institute for Chemical and Bio-Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Book Title: Tissue Engineering
Series: Methods in Molecular Medicine | Volume: 140 | Pub. Date: Jul-27-2007 | Page Range: 153-166 | DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-443-8_9
Subject: Biochemistry
Key Words: Self-assembly - Hanging drop technology - Angiogenesis - Microscale tissue engineering - Vascular endothelial growth factor
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