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One‐Step Formation of Protein‐Based Tubular Structures for Functional Devices and Tissues
Author(s) -
Gao Wuyang,
Vaezzadeh Nima,
Chow Kelvin,
Chen Haotian,
Lavender Patricia,
Jeronimo Mark D.,
McAllister Arianna,
Laselva Onofrio,
Jiang JiaXin,
Gage Blair K.,
Ogawa Shinichiro,
Ramchandran Arun,
Bear Christine E.,
Keller Gordon M.,
Günther Axel
Publication year - 2021
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.202001746
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , materials science , biomedical engineering , nanotechnology , lumen (anatomy) , elastin , tube (container) , tissue engineering , organ on a chip , matrix (chemical analysis) , biophysics , extrusion , chemistry , composite material , microfluidics , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , engineering , medicine , pathology , biology
Tubular biological structures consisting of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and cells are basic functional units of all organs in animals and humans. ECM protein solutions at low concentrations (5–10 milligrams per milliliter) are abundantly used in 3D cell culture. However, their poor “printability” and minute‐long gelation time have made the direct extrusion of tubular structures in bioprinting applications challenging. Here, this limitation is overcome and the continuous, template‐free conversion of low‐concentration collagen, elastin, and fibrinogen solutions into tubular structures of tailored size and radial, circumferential and axial organization is demonstrated. The approach is enabled by a microfabricated printhead for the consistent circumferential distribution of ECM protein solutions and lends itself to scalable manufacture. The attached confinement accommodates minute‐long residence times for pH, temperature, light, ionic and enzymatic gelation. Chip hosted ECM tubular structures are amenable to perfusion with aqueous solutions and air, and cyclic stretching. Predictive collapse and reopening in a crossed‐tube configuration promote all‐ECM valves and pumps. Tissue level function is demonstrated by factors secreted from cells embedded within the tube wall, as well as endothelial or epithelial barriers lining the lumen. The described approaches are anticipated to find applications in ECM‐based organ‐on‐chip and biohybrid structures, hydraulic actuators, and soft machines.