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Review
. 2018 Jun 19;4(2):140.
doi: 10.18063/IJB.v4i2.140. eCollection 2018.

Bioprinting of artificial blood vessels

Hooi Yee Ng  1   2 , Kai-Xing Alvin Lee  1   2 , Che-Nan Kuo  3   4 , Yu-Fang Shen  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Bioprinting of artificial blood vessels

Hooi Yee Ng et al. Int J Bioprint. .

Abstract

Vascular networks have an important role to play in transporting nutrients, oxygen, metabolic wastes and maintenance of homeostasis. Bioprinting is a promising technology as it is able to fabricate complex, specific multi-cellular constructs with precision. In addition, current technology allows precise depositions of individual cells, growth factors and biochemical signals to enhance vascular growth. Fabrication of vascularized constructs has remained as a main challenge till date but it is deemed as an important stepping stone to bring organ engineering to a higher level. However, with the ever advancing bioprinting technology and knowledge of biomaterials, it is expected that bioprinting can be a viable solution for this problem. This article presents an overview of the biofabrication of vascular and vascularized constructs, the different techniques used in vascular engineering such as extrusion-based, droplet-based and laser-based bioprinting techniques, and the future prospects of bioprinting of artificial blood vessels.

Keywords: 3D bioprinting; droplet-based bioprinting; extrusion-based bioprinting; laser-based bioprinting; vascular tissue engineering; vascularized constructs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
General structural features of a blood vessel.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Methods employed in 4D bioprinting[71].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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