Figure 3
From: Evaluation of a Miniaturized Biologically Vascularized Scaffold in vitro and in vivo
Vascular perfusion of the repopulated mBioVaSc as a platform technology for vascularized tissue culture and drug delivery device. (a) Perfusion culture setup for maturation and maintenance culture of the re-endothelialized mBioVaSc in a custom-made bioreactor. Sensing the perfusion-pressure at the arterial inflow and venous return a computer aided system ensured a physiological pressure profile controlling the perfusion pump accordingly. (b) Concept of the mBioVaSc showing the preserved cannulated vascular system allowing arterial perfusion and draining through the vein as well as the luminal culture of cells in close proximity to the vascular tree. The pre-vascularization of the vascular system with autologous ECs eases 3D tissue specific cell culture inside the lumen. A bioreactor setup as mentioned above allows for an in vitro maturation. The preserved mesenteric vessels enable the microsurgical anastomosis to a patient’s circulation for in vivo application. (c) The mBioVaSc perfused with heparinized blood in vitro depicting macroscopically the tight vascular system. Scale bar, 10 mm. (d–f) Phase contrast images of luminal capillaries before fluorescence intravital microscopy with FITC-coupled dextran (d’), albumin (e’) and albumin in blood (f’) perfusion. Scale bar, 100 µm. (g) Course of the venous return of the mBioVaSc over the stages from in vivo to decellularized to re-endothelialized (n = 3). (h) Secretion levels of ActivinA-secreting CHO cells cultured in the lumen of the mBioVaSc and protein distribution through the venous vessel compartment compared to a standard cell culture flask culture. ELISA quantification of supernatant taken from the flask, the bioreactor and the vessel compartment (n = 3). Error bars, mean ± s.d. (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001).
