FIGURE 2.

Filling the gap in biomimetic microvascular model development. The mesentery culture model aims to fill the gap between in vitro and in vivo. Recent work has demonstrated the utility of the approach for investigating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis at the same time. Multi-cellular complexity is highlighted by the presence of intact networks, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and immune cells. Cells display expected vessel-specific morphologies, and the model’s physiological relevance is supported by maintained vasoreactivity, in vivo like cell phenotypes, and the incorporation of vessel perfusion.