A 3D millifluidic model of a dermal perivascular microenvironment on a chip
2025

3D Model of Skin Blood Vessel Environment on a Chip

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Chiara Martinelli, Alberto Bocconi, Sofia Milone, Teresa Baldissera, Leonardo Cherubin, Giovanni Buccioli, Simone Perottoni, Claudio Conci, Giulio Cerullo, Roberto Osellame, Giuseppe Chirico, Emanuela Jacchetti, Manuela Teresa Raimondi

Primary Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Hypothesis

Can a 3D microstructured model effectively simulate the dermal perivascular microenvironment to study angiogenesis?

Conclusion

The study successfully developed a 3D dynamic model that mimics the physiological dermal perivascular microenvironment, enhancing our understanding of angiogenesis.

Supporting Evidence

  • The model integrates both experimental and computational approaches to study angiogenesis.
  • VEGF and TGF-β1 were used as pro-angiogenic stimuli in the model.
  • The 3D microstructures were fabricated to enhance cell organization and vascular network formation.
  • Dynamic culture conditions were shown to significantly improve endothelial cell alignment and tubule formation.

Takeaway

Researchers created a tiny model of skin blood vessels on a chip to better understand how new blood vessels form, which is important for healing wounds.

Methodology

The study involved creating a 3D microstructured model using two-photon laser polymerization and co-culturing human dermal fibroblasts and endothelial cells in a bioreactor with controlled flow.

Limitations

The model's scalability to larger tissues for clinical applications remains a limitation.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1039/d4lc00898g

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