*Purpose: Development of fully functional blood vessels in expanding field of artificial tissues and organs for transplantations in regenerative medicine is fundamental to provide proper perfusion and enable anastomosis with host’s vascular system. The aim of this study is to establish optimal, biocompatible component which could be applied to 3D bioprinting of vessel-like tubes and promote its endothelialization.

*Methods: As protein composition of inner surface layer of vessel tube is crucial for cell attachment during endothelialization process we prepared and tested bioinks composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) isolated from several tissues differing in enrichment of types of collagen which is thought to be decisive for particular cell type adherence. To assess their applicability we 3D printed tubular structures followed by seeding with fluorescent cells commercially available as well as endothelial progenitors isolated from human blood. We also tested the most suitable approach of cell introduction via, either, cell-laden bioink or fluid injection. The effect was examined during long-term incubation in self-made perfusing chamber enabling real-time microscopic analysis and vital functions such as attachment, viability and migration were observed.

*Results: We generated stable vessel-like 3D structures and observed long-term cell attachment and process of endothelialization. We noticed different endothelialization rate in cells seeded onto tubes printed with particular tissue-derived ECM-based bioink.

*Conclusions: Application of ECM as a component provides efficient bioink suitable for 3D printing and, simultaneously, stimulating conditions for cell maintenance and self-organization. Content of proteins naturally occurring in particular tissues differs substantially, therefore, it may affect significantly process of artificial vessels preparation.

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