Abstract

Vascular Organization in Engineered Tissues: Tuning the Mechanical and Growth Factor Environment

Jeroen Rouwkema, Associate Professor, University of Twente

Engineered tissues are interesting platforms for investigating tissue responses to changing environments including for instance changes in gravity. Additionally, they are highly suitable to test potential drug compounds. However, to achieve a physiological response, an included vascular network is often desired.

In order to achieve multiscale organized vascular networks within engineered tissues, we are developing methodologies to spatially control the organization of vascular cells within tissue analogues. A potent approach in this is to spatially control the mechanical environment, as well as the availability of angiogenic growth factors. By developing transparent ex ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) platforms, we are building tools to investigate the effect of perturbations on in vivo vascular development and organization. This provides us with valuable information that can be translated to an in vitro tissue engineering setting. With this approach, our aim is to locally control tissue remodeling and maturation, resulting in a vascular network that resembles a vascular tree.