Engineered Lumenized Vascular Networks and Support Matrix

Abstract

Disclosed herein are capillary fabrication devices comprising living cells within a support medium. Culture of the cells produces viable lumenized capillary networks with natural or pre-determined geometries and ECM and basement membrane associated with the capillary networks. The capillary networks and the ECM and basement membrane detachable from the capillary networks are useful for tissue engineering applications.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A formed capillary network made using a device, the device comprising: living cells; a cell-culture surface; and a support generating medium, wherein a gel forming material is substantially dissolved in the cell-culture medium and forms a support medium on the cell-culture surface. 
     
     
         31 . The capillary network of  claim 30  wherein the capillary network comprises tubules having a diameter of at least 5 microns. 
     
     
         32 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The capillary network of  claim 31  wherein the capillary network geometry is pre-patterned. 
     
     
         36 . A method of generating a formed or a forming capillary network, the method comprising the steps of providing living cells; dissolving a gel-forming material in the liquid cell-culture medium to form a support-generating medium; forming a support medium on a cell-culture surface, wherein the support medium is formed by the interaction of the support-generating medium with the living cells, or by the interaction of the support-generating medium with the cell-culture surface; culturing the living cells under conditions that permit growth, mobility, and differentiation of the living cells. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method of testing a test substance suspected to promote or inhibit angiogenesis, the method comprising the steps of contacting the capillary network of  claim 36  with the test substance; and observing whether the compound promotes or inhibits cell growth. 
     
     
         39 . An ECM and basement membrane produced by the living cells of a device, the device comprising: living cells; a cell-culture surface; and a support generating medium, wherein a gel forming material is substantially dissolved in the cell-culture medium and forms a support medium on the cell-culture surface wherein the ECM and basement membrane are detached from a forming or formed capillary network by changing the pH of the cell-culture medium, changing the cell-culture temperature, contacting the capillary network and/or the ECM basement membrane with a stream of liquid, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         40 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method of repairing or regenerating tissue in vivo, the method comprising the step of contacting a host's tissue with the formed capillary network of  claim 30 . 
     
     
         45 .- 47 . (canceled)