Application of the biophysical principle of macromolecular crowding (MMC) to microvascular networks in microfluidic devices provides a reliable, flexible and versatile approach to stabilize engineered human microvessels under simulated physiological conditions. MMC promoted the enrichment of cellular junctions and basement membrane components, while reducing cellular contractility. The resulting advantageous balance of adhesive forces over cellular tension resulted in a significant stabilization of microvessels over time, as well as improved vascular barrier function, closely resembling that of physiological microvasculature.

The findings by Prof. Anna Maria Blocki’s research team have been published in BMC:

https://biomaterialsres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40824-023-00375-w