July 6, 2026 — Xianjue Biotech is dedicated to overcoming the limitations of traditional vascular models. We have developed a novel method for constructing vascular chips based on Sacrificial 3D Printing, successfully recreating a complex microenvironment involving endothelial vessels, mesenchymal matrix, and immune cells.
Research Background
Most existing vascular models rely on complex microfabrication processes and external perfusion devices, making standardization and scaling difficult. Furthermore, many models only form simple vascular structures, failing to simultaneously reconstruct key physiological processes like angiogenesis, inflammation, and immune cell migration.
To address this, we developed a strategy using biodegradable 3D printed sacrificial templates to rapidly construct perfusable vascular networks within a commercial multi-organ chip platform.
1. Rapid Construction of Functional Vascular Networks
We utilized the TissUse HUMIMIC Chip2 multi-organ chip platform. The process involves:
1) Molding: Casting a mixed hydrogel of collagen and fibrin over the sacrificial material.
2) Dissolution: Once the hydrogel crosslinks, the PVA template dissolves, leaving a hollow channel connected to the chip’s circulation system.
3) Seeding: Primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells are seeded into the channel.
4) Perfusion: The chip’s built-in micropump provides continuous circulation.
Results:
▪ Stability: Endothelial cells covered the lumen wall early in culture, forming a stable endothelial layer that remained intact for at least 7 days.
▪ Barrier Function: FITC-Dextran permeability assays confirmed that the endothelial-lined vessels effectively restricted macromolecule diffusion into the surrounding matrix, unlike empty channels.
2. Simulating Granulation Tissue: Angiogenesis and Inflammation
To simulate the granulation tissue formed during early wound healing (characterized by fibrin deposition and inflammation), we designed two hydrogel systems:
▪ Flow Group (Healthy): Collagen-dominated.
▪ Fhigh Group (Granulation): High fibrinogen concentration.
Key Findings after 7 Days:
▪ Angiogenesis: In the Fhigh group, endothelial cells extended from the vessel wall into the matrix, forming distinct sprouting structures. The Flow group remained stable.
▪ Matrix Stiffness: Nanoindentation showed that the Fhigh hydrogel had significantly lower stiffness, creating favorable conditions for cell migration and vessel sprouting.
▪ Cytokine Secretion: High fibrin environments promoted the secretion of inflammation and angiogenesis-related factors (TNF-α, VEGF, Angiopoietin-1, PlGF).
3. Immune Cell Circulation and Transmigration
We introduced CD14⁺ monocytes derived from peripheral blood into the chip’s circulation system for 24 hours.
Observations:
▪ Differentiation: Under flow conditions, monocytes gradually acquired HLA-DR and CD68 expression, differentiating into macrophage-like phenotypes.
▪ Polarization: Cells expressed CD206, indicating polarization towards M2-like macrophages (involved in tissue repair).
▪ Transmigration: Confocal microscopy directly observed immune cells attaching to the endothelium and crossing the barrier. Quantitative analysis showed approximately 32% of immune cells underwent transendothelial migration into the matrix, consistent with in vivo inflammatory responses.
Summary
This study establishes a robust strategy for constructing vascular chips using sacrificial 3D printing. By regulating the ratio of collagen and fibrin, we successfully modeled both healthy and granulation tissue microenvironments, recapitulating key physiological processes including angiogenesis, inflammation activation, and tissue remodeling.
Reference:
J. Jäger, P. Berger, A. I. Morrison, et al. “A Sacrificial 3D Printed Vessel-on-Chip Demonstrates a Versatile Approach to Model Granulation Tissue.” Advanced Healthcare Materials 15, no. 7 (2026): e03081. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202503081
https://www.xianjuebio.com/
XianjueBio
