Fig. 1

Conceptual sketch of this study to analyze angiogenic effects of MSC co-cultured on the microvessel-on-a-chip system. A Experimental procedure of microvessel fabrication. MSCs were embedded in the collagen gels to achieve the microvessel-on-a-chip surrounded by MSCs. Analyses of cell-to-cell crosstalk between microvessels and MSCs during sprouting angiogenesis are performed. B Analytical overview to evaluate the morphological maturation of angiogenic sprouts using surface curvature. Color bars represent the mean curvature calculated on the 3D model surfaces. Gradient color bars with blue, white, and red indicate convex surface, flat surface, and concave surface, respectively