3D Printed Angiogenin-Functionalized Bioresorbable Tubular Conduits for Biological Vascularization

Structural integrity of blood vessels is critical for maintaining physiological function in vivo . Damage or obstruction of capillaries and vessels that disrupt normal blood flow can lead to severe pathological conditions. Cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and aneurysms account for nearly 25% of total mortality. To address this clinical challenge, a bioresorbable tubular stent was fabricated using a composite ink of silk fibroin (SF) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), followed by surface functionalization with angiogenin cues. Rheological analysis of 15% SF-GelMA inks demonstrated shear-thinning behavior with a thermosensitive sol−gel transition. 3D-printed stents showed post-printing mechanical stability and compliance, exhibiting ∼0.45 MPa tensile strength with ∼17% elongation, thereby mimicking native soft vascular tissue under wet conditions. Following angiogenin functionalization, the resultant stents evidenced 20−25% bioresorbability over 15 days with low hemolysis (∼1%) and ∼45% higher cell viability in vitro over 5 days. Additionally, the computational modeling outcome of strong, stable binding between angiogenic proteins and activated SF-GelMA stent aligns with experimental outcomes. Overall, this study demonstrates potential of a 3D-printed, angiogenin-functionalized SF-GelMA tubular stent as a promising candidate for cardiovascular tissue regeneration, offering a synergistic combination of structural fidelity, biocompatibility, and pro-angiogenic activity.