Bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes with shape-memory properties allow the
rapid preparation of artificial small-diameter blood vessels when combined
with microfluidics-based patterning with multiple types of cells. Lyophilization
of a wet multilayered rolled BC tube endows it with memory to recover
its tubular shape after unrolling. The unrolling of the BC tube yields a flat
membrane, and subsequent patterning with endothelial cells, smooth muscle
cells, and fibroblast cells is carried out by microfluidics. The cell-laden BC
membrane is then rerolled into a multilayered tube. The different cells constituting
multiple layers on the tubular wall can imitate blood vessels in vitro.
The BC tubes (2 mm) without cell modification, when implanted into the
carotid artery of a rabbit, maintain thrombus-free patency 21 d after implantation.
This study provides a novel strategy for the rapid construction of multilayered
small-diameter BC tubes which may be further developed for potential
applications as artificial blood vessels.
