Microfabricated fractal branching networks

Abstract

In this article, we demonstrate how a combination of engineering and biological techniques could lead to the realization of branched microstructures that can be used for the repair of damaged vascularized tissue. Recursive "treelike" networks were first generated by using fractal algorithms based on Murray's equation for vascular branching as well as allometric scaling rules. Two- and three-dimensional branching patterns with different levels of complexity were then microfabricated from poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) by using the pressure-assisted microsyringe (PAM) system developed in our laboratory. Human endothelial cells isolated from umbilical cords were seeded on the microfabricated branched scaffolds to evaluate their effectiveness in supporting site-specific cell adhesion. The results show that cell densities on the networks increase with complexity up to the sixth level and are then constant independent of branching level. The implications of this finding are discussed in terms of contact inhibition of "capillaries."