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Bioprinting small-diameter vascular vessel with endothelium and smooth muscle by the approach of two-step crosslinking process
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  • Qianheng Jin,
  • Guangzhe Jin,
  • Jihui Ju,
  • Lei Xu,
  • Linfeng Tang,
  • Yi Fu,
  • Ruixing Hou,
  • Anthony Atala,
  • Weixin Zhao
Qianheng Jin
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Corresponding Author:jqh2020@suda.edu.cn

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Guangzhe Jin
Ruihua affiliated hospital of Soochow University
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Jihui Ju
Ruihua affiliated hospital of Soochow University
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Lei Xu
Ruihua affiliated hospital of Soochow University
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Linfeng Tang
Ruihua affiliated hospital of Soochow University
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Yi Fu
Soochow University Medical College
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Ruixing Hou
Ruihua affiliated hospital of Soochow University
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Anthony Atala
Wake Forest School of Medicine
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Weixin Zhao
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting shows great potential for autologous vascular grafts due to its simplicity, accuracy, and flexibility. 6mm diameter vascular grafts are used in clinic. However, producing small-diameter vascular grafts are still an enormous challenge. Normally, sacrificial hydrogels are used as temporary lumen support to mold tubular structure which will affect the structure’s stability. In this study, we develop a new bioprinting approach to fabricating small-diameter vessel using two-step crosslinking process. ¼ lumen wall of bioprinted gelatin mechacrylate (GelMA) flat structure is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light briefly for having certain strength, while ¾ lumen wall shows as concave structure remained uncrosslinked. Pre-crosslinked flat structure is merged towards the uncrosslinked concave structure. Two individual structures will be combined tightly into an intact tubular structure by receiving more UV exposure time. Complicated tubular structures are constructed by these method. Notably, the GelMA-based bioink loaded with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are bioprinted as the outer layer and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are seeded onto the inner surface. A bionic vascular vessel with dual layers is fabricated successfully and keeps good viability, and functionality. This study may provide a novel idea for fabricating biomimetic vascular network or other more complicated organs.
02 Nov 2021Submitted to Biotechnology and Bioengineering
08 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
07 Dec 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jan 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
21 Jan 20221st Revision Received
21 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
21 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
21 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Jun 2022Published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering volume 119 issue 6 on pages 1673-1684. 10.1002/bit.28075