In Vitro Angiogenesis of 3D Tissue Engineered Adipose Tissue

Using a cell assembly device developed in this laboratory, we coextruded adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) and gelatin/alginate hydrogel to form cubic 3D constructions (10 x 10 x 10 mm(3)) with regular distributed go-through pores. The ADSC grew, proliferated, and differentiated within these constructions. With the addition of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), cells located on the scaffold walls differentiated into endothelial like cells while cells embedded in the hydrogel differentiated into adipose like cells. The integrity of the constructions remained for more than 60 days. This new technology enables us to construct 3D adipose tissue with blood vessel-like structures in vitro which is a significant enhancement in adipose tissue engineering and provides a better biomimic 3D model for studying cell-cell interaction, stem cell differentiation conditions and cell organization mechanisms.