Thermoresponsive microtextured culture surfaces facilitate fabrication of capillary networks

A novel cell culture surface is developed that induces the tubular formation of endothelial cells and facilitates the intact harvesting of fabricated capillary-like structures by utilizing a thermoresponsive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The tubular cell networks, such as the one shown in the figure, may be applicable for the fabrication of 3D vascularized tissue grafts.