Three-dimensionally two-photon lithography realized vascular grafts
Tania Limongi, Laura Brigo, Luca Tirinato, Francesca Pagliari, Alessandro Gandin, Paolo Contessotto, Andrea Giugni, Giovanna Brusatin
Abstract
Generation of artificial vascular grafts as blood vessel substitutes is a primary challenge in biomaterial and tissue-engineering research. Ideally, these grafts should be able to recapitulate physiological and mechanical properties of natural vessels and guide the assembly of an endothelial cell lining to ensure hemo-compatibility. In this paper, we advance on this challenging task by designing and fabricating 3D vessel analogues by two-photon laser lithography using a synthetic photoresist. These scaffolds guarantee human endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation, and proper elastic behavior to withstand the pressure exerted by blood flow.