Journal: bioRxiv
Article Title: ETV2 mediated differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells results in functional endothelial cells for engineering advanced vascularized microphysiological models
doi: 10.1101/2025.10.01.679558
Figure Lengend Snippet: Formation of perfusable MVNs with h-iECs differentiated through transient activation of ETV2. (a) Schematic diagram of the AIM Biotech chip used to generate MVNs with h-iECs and HLFs mixtures encapsulated in fibrin gel. (b) Representative images of MVNs made of h-iECs on day 7. h-iECs were differentiated from Alstem iPS01 h-iPSCs with conventional methods. Perfusion test was performed with 40 kDa Texas Red dextran (red). (c) Representative images of MVNs made of h-iECs on day 7, supplemented with 2% or 10% FBS. h-iECs were differentiated from Alstem iPS01 h-iPSCs engineered with inducible ETV2 using our optimized protocol. Perfusion test was performed with 40 kDa Texas Red dextran (red). (d) Immunofluorescence staining for various proteins of interest in the perfusable MVNs with h-iECs differentiated with our optimal protocol, including CD31, VE-cadherin, ZO-1 and Collagen IV. (e) Perfusable vessel skeleton and junction points detected using fluorescent image acquired for dextran. (f-h) Statistical analysis of morphological parameters of perfusable MVNs formed with various EC sources. n = 8 devices for HUVEC, n = 6 devices for each h-iECs differentiated with our optimal protocol. (i) Vascular permeability measurements for perfusable MVNs engineered using HUVECs or h-iECs, with hLFs. Confocal z-stack images of perfusable MVNs with dextran were acquired with 6 min time interval. Collapsed z-stack image are shown. (j) Vascular permeability measurements of 40 kDa dextran for perfusable MVNs. n=2 devices for each group, 3 measurements were performed in each device at different ROIs. All scale bars are 500 μm.
Article Snippet: Briefly, 40 kDa Texas red dextran (Invitrogen) was perfused into the microvascular networks by generating a slight pressure gradient across the gel of the device.
Techniques: Activation Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Permeability