Harnessing inter-spheroid spacing and structural connectivity to direct collective cell migration and host vessel integration in 3D engineered tissue.
Lee S., Bae S., Kwon H., Seok JM., Park SA., Shin H.
Animal Study, published in Mater Today Bio (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
- Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
- Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
- Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
- Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
- Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.
- Study type
- Animal Study
- Journal
- Mater Today Bio (2026)
- Country
- England
- Reported sample size
- —
- Source database
- PubMed
- PMID
- 42368709
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103358
Abstract (original English)
Engineering functional vascular networks within three-dimensional (3D) tissues remains a major challenge in regenerative medicine. Here, we introduce a hybrid platform that integrates spheroids with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels and 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds to generate pre-vascularized 3D constructs. The scaffold architecture was designed with spatially defined chambers and interconnected pores incorporating catching strands that anchor spheroid positioning and direct cell migration from embedded spheroids. Additionally, the GelMA matrix establishes a permissive microenvironment conducive to cell adhesion and matrix remodeling, and the PCL framework preserves macroscopic structural integrity. Co-culture spheroids composed of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC) enhanced sprouting and collective migration compared with suspended single cells, and also provided significant upregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling genes and pro-angiogenic markers. Spatially distributed spheroids with 3D structure strongly modulated vascular network morphogenesis, whereby the inter-spheroid distance finely tuned cell migration dynamics and ECM remodeling. Scaffold microarchitecture further governed host tissue integration in vivo , with higher pore interconnectivity facilitating superior vascular inf
What this study does not prove
- • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
- • This is preclinical work; animal or laboratory results cannot be applied to humans.
Evidence level
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
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