Jeonghyun Son

All Publications

• Triple-Scale Endothelialized Tubular Networks via Hybrid Biofabrication for Scalable Vascular Tissue Engineering. Advanced healthcare materials Son, J., Kim, D., Choi, J., Eom, S., Skylar-Scott, M. A., Kim, D. S., Kang, H. W. 2025: e03334

  Abstract

  The human vascular system is a sophisticated hierarchical network branching from large-diameter vessels to fine capillaries. Recapitulating this hierarchy remains a major biofabrication challenge, as oxygen diffusion from the nearest capillary is limited to ≈200 µm in native tissues, while current vascularized constructs struggle to maintain stable perfusion and functional multiscale architectures. To address this, a hybrid fabrication strategy is introduced that combines top-down microfabrication of tubular scaffolds via electrospinning with bottom-up bioprinting of cell-laden bioinks. This approach enables the engineering of spatially programmable endothelialized tubular networks across three scales: macrovessels (≈3 mm), mesovessels (500-2000 µm), and capillaries (10-25 µm). Electrospun macrovessels exhibit artery-like mechanical properties in longitudinal and circumferential directions. Bioprinting enables precise control over meso- and capillary-scale vessels, facilitating the hierarchical patterning of complex architectures. Integrated triple-scale endothelialized tubular networks formed interconnected, perfusable architectures comprising spatially patterned capillaries and enhanced diffusive transport by more than fivefold. Dynamic culture within endothelialized tubular networks of 5 mm thick tissue constructs supports high cell viability, rapid capillary formation, and in vivo-like endothelial phenotypes under moderate flow. This work uniquely enables scalable vascular-mimetic architectures with artery-like mechanical properties and spatially defined capillaries, representing a previously unattainable integration in angiogenesis, bioprinting, electrospinning, scaled-up tissue constructs, vascular tissue engineeringlarge-scale vascular constructs.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.202503334

  View details for PubMedID 41361959

• Bioprinting Vascularized Constructs for Clinical Relevance: Engineering Hydrogel Systems for Biological Maturity. Gels (Basel, Switzerland) Son, J., Li, S., Jeong, W. 2025; 11 (8)

  Abstract

  Vascularization remains a critical challenge in tissue engineering, limiting graft survival, integration, and clinical translation. Although bioprinting enables spatial control over vascular architectures, many existing approaches prioritize geometric precision over biological performance. Bioprinted vasculature can be understood as a dynamic and time-dependent system that requires tissue-specific maturation. Within this framework, hydrogel systems act as active microenvironments rather than passive scaffolds. Hydrogel platforms vary from natural matrices and synthetic polymers to bioinspired or stimuli-responsive systems, each offering tunable control over stiffness, degradation, and biochemical signaling needed for vascular maturation. The design requirements of large and small vessels differ in terms of mechanical demands, remodeling capacity, and host integration. A key limitation in current models is the absence of time-resolved evaluation, as critical processes such as lumen formation, pericyte recruitment, and flow-induced remodeling occur progressively and are not captured by static endpoints. Advancements in bioprinting technologies are evaluated based on their capacity to support hydrogel-mediated vascularization across varying length scales and structural complexities. A framework for functional assessment is proposed, and translational challenges related to immunogenicity, scalability, and regulatory requirements are discussed. Such integration of hydrogel-driven biological cues and bioprinting fidelity is critical to advancing vascularized constructs toward clinical translation.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/gels11080636

  View details for PubMedID 40868767

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12385750

• Bioprinting of Adipose Tissue Graft with Enhanced Neo-Vessel Formation in Vivo. Advanced healthcare materials Mohamed, H. J., Jeong, W., Son, J., Kang, H. W. 2025: e2500627

  Abstract

  Adipose tissue (AT) grafts are widely used in clinical procedures including soft-tissue augmentation and post-trauma reconstruction. However, the slow vascularization of conventional AT grafts poses a challenge to their in vivo preservation. To address this challenge, an innovative AT graft is engineered using adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) spheroids to enhance blood vessel infiltration. A polycaprolactone (PCL) framework containing precisely positioned ADSC spheroids is 3D bioprinted, and mechanically dissociated fat tissue is loaded into the framework to produce AT grafts. The spheroid diameter and pattern are optimized to significantly enhance the secretion of angiogenic factors from ADSCs in vivo. During an eight-week in vivo experiment, the bioprinted and transplanted AT grafts demonstrated an impressive 8 fold increase in neo-vessel formation compared to those in conventional grafts. This heightened neovascularization is directly correlated with a substantial improvement in transplanted AT survival and a 70% reduction in fibrous tissue formation. These findings underscore the pivotal role of ADSC spheroid-mediated paracrine signaling in facilitating robust integration with the host vascular system. The novel approach significantly enhanced the long-term viability and preservation of AT grafts by promoting blood vessel infiltration, paving the way for the development of highly vascularized AT grafts for clinical applications.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.202500627

  View details for PubMedID 40509638

• Clinically Relevant and Precisely Printable Live Adipose Tissue-Based Bio-Ink for Volumetric Soft Tissue Reconstruction. Advanced healthcare materials Jeong, W., Son, J., Choi, J., Han, J., Jeon, S., Kim, M. K., Ha, W., Kang, H. W. 2024: e2402680

  Abstract

  Autologous fat is widely used in soft tissue reconstruction; however, significant volume reduction owing to necrosis and degradation of the transplanted adipose tissue (AT) remains a major challenge. To address this issue, a novel live AT micro-fragment-based bio-ink (ATmf bio-ink) compatible with precision 3D printing, is developed. Live AT micro-fragments of ≈280 µm in size are prepared using a custom tissue micronizer and they are incorporated into a fibrinogen/gelatin mixture to create the ATmf bio-ink. AT micro-fragments exhibit high viability and preserve the heterogeneous cell population and extracellular matrix of the native AT. The developed bio-ink enables precise micropatterning and provides an excellent adipo-inductive microenvironment. AT grafts produced by co-printing the bio-ink with polycaprolactone demonstrate a 500% improvement in volume retention and a 300% increase in blood vessel infiltration in vivo compared with conventional microfat grafts. In vivo engraftment of AT grafts is further enhanced by using a stem cell-laden ATmf bio-ink. Last, it is successfully demonstrated that the bio-ink is enabled for the creation of clinically relevant and patient-specific AT grafts for patients undergoing partial mastectomy. This novel ATmf bio-ink for volumetric soft tissue reconstruction offers a pioneering solution for addressing the limitations of existing clinical techniques.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.202402680

  View details for PubMedID 39466900