At Ryazan State Medical University, researchers are advancing a novel approach to vascular repair. Using cells harvested from a patient’s own vessel walls, they have developed a casting mold and a biopolymer hydrogel system to produce three-dimensional models of blood vessels. These bioengineered vessels are intended for implantation to treat atherosclerosis, offering a potential path to more compatible and durable vascular replacements. The development has been presented within the university’s technology entrepreneurship program, highlighting ongoing collaboration with national science initiatives in Russia.
According to one of the project’s researchers, the design creates an inner cavity that mirrors the geometry of a human artery, such as the carotid. A biopolymer gel, formulated from a polysaccharide-protein base, is poured into the cavity and populated with the patient’s own cells — fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Polymerization occurs over about an hour, resulting in a ready-to-use vessel model. This patient-specific approach reduces the risk of immune rejection and aligns closely with natural vascular tissue in structure and function.
Current vascular solutions in surgery include artificial prostheses, autografts, and shunts. While these options treat blood flow disorders, they carry drawbacks such as a propensity for occlusion within years of implantation and potential microbleeds due to porous materials. The 3D-printed casting molds address these issues by producing vessels that better mimic native tissue and functionality, reducing clogging and improving hemodynamics.
The researchers emphasize that the new vessels are built from the patient’s own cells, which embodies personalized medicine in vascular grafting. This approach diminishes immune compatibility concerns and avoids common rejection problems. Moreover, existing implants often rely on porous structures that can trap platelets, whereas these bioengineered vessels strive to replicate the natural texture of real vessels more accurately. Looking ahead, the team plans to integrate stem cells extracted from the patient’s blood and differentiate them into mature vascular cells, further enhancing the personalized aspect of the implants.
At present, the project is in the in vitro phase, with studies focused on assessing biocompatibility and the cytotoxic profile of the hydrogels for vascular use. Early results are encouraging, indicating good compatibility with vascular cell types while continuing to monitor longer-term outcomes. Plans are in motion to extend testing to animal models to evaluate performance in living systems and to gather more data on durability, integration with host tissue, and functional stability under physiological conditions.
Another note highlights the broader context of this research within the spectrum of modern vascular therapy. As regenerative medicine and precision therapies gain traction, the convergence of patient-derived cells with advanced biomaterials and additive manufacturing offers a practical route to safer, more effective vascular implants. The ongoing work underscores a shift toward treatments that align closely with the patient’s biology, potentially transforming how atherosclerotic disease is managed in the future.