Induction of Fenestrae in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells for Disease Modeling.

The endothelial linings of capillaries, such as those in the kidney and small intestines, possess fenestrae that facilitate fluid and exchange of small molecules. Alterations in the size and number of endothelial fenestrae have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. The re-creation of fenestrated endothelium using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provides a promising avenue to investigate the involvement of fenestrae in disease mechanisms and pharmacodynamics.

Effect of Mechanical Stimuli on the Phenotypic Plasticity of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in a 3D Hydrogel.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a pivotal role in vascular homeostasis, with dysregulation leading to vascular complications. Human-induced pluripotent stem-cell (hiPSC)-derived VSMCs offer prospects for personalized disease modeling and regenerative strategies. Current research lacks comparative studies on the impact of three-dimensional (3D) substrate properties under cyclic strain on phenotypic adaptation in hiPSC-derived VSMCs.

3D Human iPSC Blood Vessel Organoids as a Source of Flow-Adaptive Vascular Cells for Creating a Human-Relevant 3D-Scaffold Based Macrovessel Model.

3D-scaffold based in vitro human tissue models accelerate disease studies and screening of pharmaceutics while improving the clinical translation of findings. Here is reported the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived vascular organoid cells as a new cell source for the creation of an electrospun polycaprolactone-bisurea (PCL-BU) 3D-scaffold-based, perfused human macrovessel model. A separation protocol is developed to obtain monocultures of organoid-derived endothelial cells (ODECs) and mural cells (ODMCs) from hiPSC vascular organoids.

Implementation of Pericytes in Vascular Regeneration Strategies.

For the survival and integration of complex large-sized tissue-engineered (TE) organ constructs that exceed the maximal nutrients and oxygen diffusion distance required for cell survival, graft (pre)vascularization to ensure medium or blood supply is crucial. To achieve this, the morphology and functionality of the microcapillary bed should be mimicked by incorporating vascular cell populations, including endothelium and mural cells. Pericytes play a crucial role in microvascular function, blood vessel stability, angiogenesis, and blood pressure regulation.