Quantitative Label-Free Imaging of 3D Vascular Networks Self-Assembled in Synthetic Hydrogels
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 rem...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley,
2020-07-30T19:05:51Z.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get fulltext |
| Summary: | 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. National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01 HL093282-01A1) National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1U H2TR000506-01) National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 3UH2TR000506-02S1) National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 4U H3TR000506-03) National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01CA205101) National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01CA185747) National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01CA211082) National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01CA226526) National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant (CBET-1642287) Entertainment Industry Foundation. Stand Up to Cancer Colorectal Cancer Dream Team (Grant SU2C-AACR-IG-08-16) Stand Up To Cancer (Grant SU2C-AACR-IG-08-16) |
|---|