14 - Cell–biomaterial interactions for blood vessel formation

Abstract

Our knowledge of human vascular development and growth has been considerably augmented by biomaterial-based approaches. This chapter first discusses the architecture of the vasculature, from its cellular to extracellular matrix components. In the following sections, engineering of biomaterials to study the mechanisms of vascular morphogenesis and angiogenesis, including cancer-associated angiogenesis, are explored. The final section focuses on materials designed with defined spatial arrangements of molecules or complex topographical features to recapitulate aspects within the native vascular microenvironment.