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Quantitative Label‐Free Imaging of 3D Vascular Networks Self‐Assembled in Synthetic Hydrogels
Author(s) -
Kaushik Gaurav,
Gil Daniel A.,
Torr Elizabeth,
Berge Elizabeth S.,
Soref Cheryl,
Uhl Peyton,
Fontana Gianluca,
AntosiewiczBourget Jessica,
Edington Collin,
Schwartz Michael P.,
Griffith Linda G.,
Thomson James A.,
Skala Melissa C.,
Daly William T.,
Murphy William L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201801186
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , vascular network , biomedical engineering , tissue engineering , materials science , ethylene glycol , bioreactor , nanotechnology , biological system , chemistry , anatomy , biology , medicine , organic chemistry , polymer chemistry
Vascularization is an important strategy to overcome diffusion limits and enable the formation of complex, physiologically relevant engineered tissues and organoids. Self‐assembly is a technique to generate in vitro vascular networks, but engineering the necessary network morphology and function remains challenging. Here, autofluorescence multiphoton microscopy (aMPM), a label‐free imaging technique, is used to quantitatively evaluate in vitro vascular network morphology. Vascular networks are generated using human embryonic stem cell–derived endothelial cells and primary human pericytes encapsulated in synthetic poly(ethylene glycol)‐based hydrogels. Two custom‐built bioreactors are used to generate distinct fluid flow patterns during vascular network formation: recirculating flow or continuous flow. aMPM is used to image these 3D vascular networks without the need for fixation, labels, or dyes. Image processing and analysis algorithms are developed to extract quantitative morphological parameters from these label‐free images. It is observed with aMPM that both bioreactors promote formation of vascular networks with lower network anisotropy compared to static conditions, and the continuous flow bioreactor induces more branch points compared to static conditions. Importantly, these results agree with trends observed with immunocytochemistry. These studies demonstrate that aMPM allows label‐free monitoring of vascular network morphology to streamline optimization of growth conditions and provide quality control of engineered tissues.