Formation of Endothelial Cell Networks in Hydrogel Scaffolds Assembled from Modular Collagen-Fibrin Microenvironments

摘要

Modular, spheroidal microenvironments were created using a water-in-oil emulsification process, and were shown to support vessel-like network formation in vitro. The COL/FIB and EC-MSC ratios used had previously been shown to support vessel formation in bulk gels. In microbeads, the presence of a basement membrane by day 14 indicated maturation of the vessel-like structures. Microbeads embedded into acellular fibrin gels also supported formation of vascular cords within the beads, as well as into the surrounding fibrin matrix. This study suggests that modular, EC-MSC seeded protein microbeads can spatially and temporally guide vascular morphogenesis for regenerative applications.