Blood vessels form a complex system that connects everything in our body: delivering nutrients, oxygenating tissues, and transporting cells. Endothelial cells make up the innermost layer, while vascular smooth muscle cells line the vessel walls. Interaction between these cell types is crucial in vascular function, and is disrupted in many diseases. Our research aims to model the vasculature and its supporting cells, and understand the diseases that affect them.
reNEW research
We use human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and introduce mutations important in vascular diseases. We differentiate these cells into endothelial cells and supporting cells such as vascular smooth muscle cells. We culture these cells on a 3D-platform generating a vascular network-on-chip. The platform allows us to study vessel formation and cross-talk between these cells in healthy and diseased models, allowing us to understand vascular disease mechanisms and further support the development of therapeutics.
Image description
A confocal image of our vasculature-on-chip, where endothelial cells form vessels supported by smooth muscle cells.
Credits
Orsola Mocellin, research technician, Orlova lab, reNEW Leiden.
