Nanofiber electrospinning combined with rotary bioprinting for fabricating small-diameter vessels with endothelium and smooth muscle

Tissue engineering is a growing research area of great interest because it can produce bionic grafts to replace autologous tissue. Although many molding strategies have been tried, precellularization of small-diameter vascular grafts remains a research challenge. Here, a novel approach for fabricating bionic small-diameter vascular vessels is developed through combining nanofiber electrospinning and a specially-designed rotary bioprinter. Electrospun poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) provides good elasticity, and the electrospinning modification is beneficial for adhesion and functionalization of endothelial cells. A flat monolayer on the surface of PCL is formed after 7 days cultivation. Modification of the traditional three-dimensional (3D) bioprinter to increase rotation of the central axis used dual motors increase stability during the printing process. This allowed a uniform dense methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) structure containing smooth muscle cells to be bioprinted with the cells are arranged linearly along the horizontal axis of rotation. The two type cells maintain viability and proliferation in the structure during the process of cultivation. In addition, the bionic structure is superior to the natural blood vessel in anti-burst pressure and suture retention strength. This study may provide a new strategy for the development of bionic blood vascular tissue or other tubular structure.

Automated summary

A novel approach for fabricating bionic small-diameter vascular vessels has been developed by combining nanofiber electrospinning and a specially-designed rotary bioprinter. The modified bioprinter enables the printing of a Methacrylated Gelatin (GelMA) structure containing smooth muscle cells, resulting in a bionic structure with superior properties compared to natural blood vessels.