Toward fabrication of vascularized tissues using a bilayer co-culture approach achieved by a mesh culture technique

We have previously reported on a novel mesh culture method that enables fabrication of standalone cell sheets that can be easily integrated with microfluidics to realize tissue-on-a-chip for in vitro studies [1]. Here we report on the fabrication of a bilayer tissue consisting of fibroblasts and HUVECs using a mesh culture approach which permits direct cross-layer cell-cell interaction and communication, unlike in existing co-culture systems where this is impeded by an interfacing substrate between the cell layers. We show that the direct cross-layer interaction induces fibrotic-like swelling of the fibroblast layer and micro-vessel formation by HUVECs. Thus, we present a model that can recapitulate the development of fibrosis, which is a disease condition affecting many organs in the body.