Micropatterning of endothelial cells to create a capillary-like network with defined architecture by laser-assisted bioprinting

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 28 - 12
• Main Authors: Kérourédan, Olivia, Bourget, Jean-Michel, Rémy, Murielle, Crauste-Manciet, Sylvie, Kalisky, Jérôme, Catros, Sylvain, Thébaud, Noëlie B., Devillard, Raphaël
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2019; Springer Nature B.V; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Biomaterials; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedical materials; Bioprinting; Bone biomaterials; Cell density; Cell Line; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coculture Techniques; Collagen; Collagen (type I); Collagen - chemistry; Composites; Computer architecture; Density; Endothelial cells; Endothelial Cells - cytology; Glass; Growth factors; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells - cytology; Humans; Hydrogels; Hydrogels - chemistry; In vivo methods and tests; Infant, Newborn; Lasers; Life Sciences; Materials Science; Mesenchyme; Mice; Micropatterning; Microvasculature; Molar; Natural Materials; Nitric oxide; Polymer Sciences; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; S.I.: Biofabrication and Bioinks for Tissue Engineering; Stem cells; Substitute bone; Surfaces and Interfaces; Surgical implants; Thin Films; Three dimensional printing; Tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - chemistry
• ISSN: 0957-4530; 1573-4838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10856-019-6230-1

Development of a microvasculature into tissue-engineered bone substitutes represents a current challenge. Seeding of endothelial cells in an appropriate environment can give rise to a capillary-like network to enhance prevascularization of bone substitutes. Advances in biofabrication techniques, such as bioprinting, could allow to precisely define a pattern of endothelial cells onto a biomaterial suitable for in vivo applications. The aim of this study was to produce a microvascular network following a defined pattern and preserve it while preparing the surface to print another layer of endothelial cells. We first optimise the bioink cell concentration and laser printing parameters and then develop a method to allow endothelial cells to survive between two collagen layers. Laser-assisted bioprinting (LAB) was used to pattern lines of tdTomato-labeled endothelial cells cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells seeded onto a collagen hydrogel. Formation of capillary-like structures was dependent on a sufficient local density of endothelial cells. Overlay of the pattern with collagen I hydrogel containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) allowed capillary-like structures formation and preservation of the printed pattern over time. Results indicate that laser-assisted bioprinting is a valuable technique to pre-organize endothelial cells into high cell density pattern in order to create a vascular network with defined architecture in tissue-engineered constructs based on collagen hydrogel.