Spatially guided endothelial tubulogenesis by laser-induced side transfer (LIST) bioprinting of HUVECs

Abstract

The ability to bioprint microvasculature networks is central for drug screening and for tissue engineering applications. Here we used a newly developed bioprinting technology, termed laser-induced side transfer (LIST), to print human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to spatially guide endothelial tubulogenesis. We investigated the effect of three bioprinting matrices (fibrin, Matrigel and Matrigel/thrombin) on HUVECs self-assembly. Furthermore, we studied the effect of pro- and anti-angiogenic compounds on sprouting angiogenesis and tubulogenesis. We found that HUVECs self-assembly is optimal on Matrigel/thrombin due to the formation of fibrin stripes that enhance HUVECs confinement and adhesion. Importantly, we showed that treatment of printed HUVEC lines with the anti-angiogenic factor bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) significantly improves the percentage of lumen coverage. Our results showcase LIST as a powerful bioprinting technology to study tubulogenesis and to screen compounds targeting microvasculature pathologies.