Aiding Artificial Organs Through 3D Blood Vessels

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, USA. A gel injected with human
endothelial cells allows blood vessels to grow in accurate shapes. They respond to human cells in a way that is similar to human blood vessels. Since it is difficult for blood vessels to grow all the way to a large organ, this innovation can ease this intricate process.

University of Washington’s Ying Zheng and colleagues injected human endothelial cells into tiny channels within a collagen gel. The channels were only micrometers in width and they formed micro vessels or hollow three-dimensional tubes. The endothelial cells spread through these channels. When they pumped blood into this system, the cells moved through the three-dimensional tubes without sticking. Even in 90 degree bends, they flowed smoothly.

The team even added proteins that are involved in inflammation. This made the blood to clot inside the three-dimensional tubes similar to what happens in the human body. Since it reacted similar to the human vascular system, it might be very useful in drug screening. In addition to that, when muscle and human brain cells were injected into the gel together with proteins that stimulate growth in blood vessels, the three-dimensional tubes were able to integrate with the two tissue types.

Given that these channels can be directed into any shape, it can certainly model complex vascular systems like the blood-brain barrier that is very hard and complex to study in living animals. The system can one day show how cancers metastasize by putting liver or brain cells into the channels together with the cancer cells. Future study will also include incorporating the system in artificial organs. Since the channels can be precisely shaped, it will provide the artificial organ ample blood supply.