Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Impaired vascular network remodeling is linked to tumor progression, impacting the efficacy of anti‐vascular therapies. However, the interplay between blood flow and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in driving vascular network remodeling remains unclear. This work optimizes a human vasculature‐on‐chip system for long‐term perfusion to quantify vascular network remodeling under physiologically low and tumor‐mimicking high VEGF conditions. Live imaging shows that at low VEGF levels, flow‐conditioned vascular networks remodel like animal models, enhancing flow velocities. Conversely, static networks lacking flow exhibit continuous growth, loss of network hierarchy, and decreased flow velocities. At tumor‐mimicking high VEGF levels, flow‐conditioned vessels show aberrant overgrowth, which is blocked by the anti‐VEGF tumor drug bevacizumab, restoring flow‐induced remodeling. Without flow, however, high VEGF slows vessel growth compared to low VEGF, while anti‐VEGF treatment restores continuous growth. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing anti‐angiogenic therapies by exploiting VEGF modulation and flow conditions for vascular remodeling and improved tumor treatment.
Source: Advanced Functional Materials
Authors: Fatemeh Mirzapour‐Shafiyi, Elias Huber, Leonie Karr, Johnny Tong, Andreas Richard Bausch, Friedrich Christian Simmel, Karen Alim
Institution: Technical University of Munich
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
Funders: Joachim Herz Stiftung, Australian Government, European Commission, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, International Graduate School of Science and Engineering, H2020 European Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W4410099076