ReviewPost screenBioengineered vascular constructs as living models for in vitro cardiovascular research

- In vitro human biomimetic vascular models are needed for cardiovascular research.
- BVCs show native tissue-like cellular responses to mechanical and chemical stimuli.
- The complexity of these in vitro models can be tuned.
- Animal experiments can be reduced with physiologically relevant in vitro models.
- The tremendous potential of BVCs is largely unexploited.

Cardiovascular diseases represent the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this review, we explore the potential of bioengineered vascular constructs as living models for in vitro cardiovascular research to advance the current knowledge of pathophysiological processes and support the development of clinical therapies. Bioengineered vascular constructs capable of recapitulating the cellular and mechanical environment of native vessels represent a valuable platform to study cellular interactions and signaling cascades, test drugs and medical devices under (patho)physiological conditions, with the additional potential benefit of reducing the number of animals required for preclinical testing.