Towards organ printing: engineering an intra-organ branched vascular tree
Year: 2010
Type: review
Abstract: IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Effective vascularization of thick three-dimensional engineered tissue constructs is a problem in tissue engineering. As in native organs, a tissue-engineered intra-organ vascular tree must be comprised of a network of hierarchically branched vascular segments. Despite this requirement, current tissue-engineering efforts are still focused predominantly on engineering either large-diameter macrovessels or microvascular networks. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: We present the emerging concept of organ printing or robotic additive biofabrication of an intra-organ branched vascular tree, based on the ability of vascular tissue spheroids to undergo self-assembly. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: The feasibility and challenges of this robotic biofabrication approach to intra-organ vascularization for tissue engineering based on organ-printing technology using self-assembling vascular tissue spheroids including clinically relevantly vascular cell sources are analyzed. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: It is not possible to engineer 3D thick tissue or organ constructs without effective vascularization. An effective intra-organ vascular system cannot be built by the simple connection of large-diameter vessels and microvessels. Successful engineering of functional human organs suitable for surgical implantation will require concomitant engineering of a 'built in' intra-organ branched vascular system. Organ printing enables biofabrication of human organ constructs with a 'built in' intra-organ branched vascular tree.
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G1761438407, South Carolina IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FACILITIEIS CONSTRUCTION, SC COBRE FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY BASED CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, Center of Biomaterials for Tissue Regeneration (CBTR), G2584952555, G2598401476, G350062807, G529529811, EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
OpenAlex ID: W2052215721