In order to investigate the factors that stabilize the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) tube network, HUVECs were co-cultured in 3D with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), pericytes, human dermal fibroblasts and human preadipocytes in a ratio of 2:1, inside a mixture of collagen and matrigel. From the figure, we can see large differences in network structure between the cultures. The preadipocyte culture was stable for more than 32 days as compared to the DPSCs, pericytes, and fibroblasts which peaked at 14, 14, and 7 days . The highest degree of order is observed in the DPSCs culture, where at least three types of networks are present. The network mesh size appears to decrease towards the edges, where the shear stress is highest. A disordered, but elongated mesh is observed in the center, which is similar to the one formed by the pre-adipocytes. The shear exerted during contraction of the matrix can be measured using finite element analysis method, while the 3D network morphology will be imaged using confocal microscopy. The structure and stability will be correlated to the biomechanics of the culture.

3D co-culture for HUVECs network stabilization

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.