Integrating microfluidics, hydrogels, and 3D bioprinting for personalized vessel-on-a-chip platforms

Jan 21, 2025Biomaterials science

Combining tiny fluid channels, gel materials, and 3D printing to create custom miniature blood vessel models

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Abstract

Advanced hydrogel-based systems and 3D bioprinted vascular constructs may enhance the investigation of thrombosis mechanisms.

Traditional thrombosis research often produces conflicting results due to complex clotting mechanisms.
Emerging vessel-on-a-chip technologies enable control over previously unmanageable factors in thrombosis studies.
Hydrogel-based models better mimic the extracellular matrix and address limitations of traditional PDMS devices.
Integration of microfluidics with biomimetic materials allows simulation of patient-specific vascular conditions.
3D bioprinting facilitates the creation of complex vascular structures with precise control over geometry and cells.
Challenges remain in ensuring long-term stability and incorporating immune components in these advanced models.

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Thrombosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, presents a complex challenge in cardiovascular medicine due to the intricacy of clotting mechanisms in living organisms. Traditional research approaches, including clinical studies and animal models, often yield conflicting results due to the inability to control variables in these complex systems, highlighting the need for more precise investigative tools. This review explores the evolution ofthrombosis models, from conventional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices to advanced hydrogel-based systems and cutting-edge 3D bioprinted vascular constructs. We discuss how these emerging technologies, particularly vessel-on-a-chip platforms, are enabling researchers to control previously unmanageable factors, thereby offering unprecedented opportunities to pinpoint specific clotting mechanisms. While PDMS-based devices offer optical transparency and fabrication ease, their inherent limitations, including non-physiological rigidity and surface properties, have driven the development of hydrogel-based systems that better mimic the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. The integration of microfluidics with biomimetic materials and tissue engineering approaches has led to the development of sophisticated models capable of simulating patient-specific vascular geometries, flow dynamics, and cellular interactions under highly controlled conditions. The advent of 3D bioprinting further enables the creation of complex, multi-layered vascular structures with precise spatial control over geometry and cellular composition. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in achieving long-term stability, incorporating immune components, and translating these models to clinical applications. By providing a comprehensive overview of current advancements and future prospects, this review aims to stimulate further innovation in thrombosis research and accelerate the development of more effective, personalized approaches to thrombosis prevention and treatment. in vitro

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Integrating microfluidics, hydrogels, and 3D bioprinting for personalized vessel-on-a-chip platforms

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