Advances in hydrogel-based vascularized tissues for tissue repair and drug screening

Abstract

The construction of biomimetic vasculatures within the artificial tissue models or organs is highly required for conveying nutrients, oxygen, and waste products, for improving the survival of engineered tissues in vitro . In recent times, the remarkable progress in utilizing hydrogels and understanding vascular biology have enabled the creation of three-dimensional (3D) tissues and organs composed of highly complex vascular systems. In this review, we give an emphasis on the utilization of hydrogels and their advantages in the vascularization of tissues. Initially, the significance of vascular elements and the regeneration mechanisms of vascularization, including angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, are briefly introduced. Further, we highlight the importance and advantages of hydrogels as artificial microenvironments in fabricating vascularized tissues or organs, in terms of tunable physical properties, high similarity in physiological environments, and alternative shaping mechanisms, among others. Furthermore, we discuss the utilization of such hydrogels-based vascularized tissues in various applications, including tissue regeneration, drug screening, and organ-on-chips. Finally, we put forward the key challenges, including multifunctionalities of hydrogels, selection of suitable cell phenotype, sophisticated engineering techniques, and clinical translation behind the development of the tissues with complex vasculatures towards their future development.

Advances of Engineered Hydrogel Organoids within the Stem Cell Field: A Systematic Review

“…Recently, the construction of a vascular system in the process of organogenesis in vitro is necessary to transport nutrients and remove metabolic wastes, thereby improving tissue survival and thickness. Due to a better understanding of vascular tissue structure and microenvironment, tremendous progress has been made in constructing highly complex biomimetic vascularized tissues and organs using hydrogel materials [ 11 ]. The current typical construction strategy is based on an appropriate scaffold embedded with endothelial cells (ECs) prior to in vivo implantation [ 107 ].…”

“…Stem-cell-derived organoids are in vitro organ models that form functional tissue types by self-organization and differentiation, which can potentially facilitate a better understanding of the biology and physiology of various organs [ 10 ]. Engineered organoids could help build biological sample biobanks, construct disease models to study disease pathogenesis, be utilized for therapeutic drug screening, and could also be applied in regenerative medicine and organ repair [ 11 ]. For example, organoids could model the pathology of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, which could contribute to the development of better therapeutic modalities [ 12 ].…”

Progress in Hydrogels for Skin Wound Repair

“…Promoting the formation of new blood vessels in tissues is a critical issue in the area of modern regenerative medicine. [ 153 ] Blood vessels are the main place for material exchange between blood and tissues. In the wound healing process, vascular regeneration that promotes nutrient transport and oxygen exchange is essential for skin repair.…”

N-carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium alginate composite hydrogel loading plasmid DNA as a promising gene activated matrix for in-situ burn wound treatment

“…Because of the network structure of hydrogels, the hydrogels offer the possibility of loading and controlling the release of genes/drugs, forming in situ scaffolds loaded with active substances and helping to further facilitate treatment [ 26 ]. The traditional tissue engineering usually uses protein-like growth factors, but there are problems such as easy degradation, unstable biological activity in vivo , systemic toxicity caused by explosive release and high cost [ 27 , 28 ]. Therefore, Bonadio Group initially suggested using the growth factor gene instead of the corresponding protein to eliminate these problems mentioned above [ 29 ].…”