3D blood vessels

American scientists have manufactured biomimetic blood vessels using modified 3D printing technology of cells and biochernils, which were obtained from smooth muscle cells of the human aorta and endothelial cells of the umbilical vein.

The result is a fully functional blood vessel with a two-layer architecture that surpasses existing engineered tissues and brings 3D-printed blood vessels closer to clinical use.

New blood vessels were transplanted into the removed areas of the abdominal aorta of six rats. Next, the scientists observed a transformation in which fibroblasts formed a layer of connective tissue on the surface of the implant in order to integrate it into the existing living tissue.

Previous attempts to make small-diameter blood vessels have been less successful. Fragile and clogged vessels were formed, since the collagen material biochernil used did not contain the necessary elements to build a strong structure.

The new material from the native blood vessel contains collagen and a set of various biomolecules that provide favorable conditions for the growth of vascular cells.

The use of biochernils based on native materials preserves the natural structure of the blood vessel and accelerates the creation of functional vascular tissues, due to which they have increased strength and antithrombotic properties.

After manufacturing, the printed blood vessel was "matured" in a special laboratory, which was designed to fine-tune the important biological and physical characteristics of the vessel.

The authors plan to improve the strength of blood vessels to the level of human coronary arteries. They also plan to conduct a long-term evaluation of vascular grafts, observing what happens as they continue to develop and become real tissue in the implanted environment.

Article by Gao et al. Tissue-engineering of vascular grafts containing endothelium and smooth-muscle using triple-coaxial cell printing is published in the journal Applied Physics Review.

Elena Panasyuk, portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on Eurekalert materials: 3D printing, bioinks create implantable blood vessels.