Dataset for Pulmonary Vascular Moldels - 3D Print Images

The dataset is organized into two folders.

The first folder contains images of 3D-printed hydrogel structures fabricated using a custom-built 3D micro-stereolithography printing device. The images are separated in six subfolders, identified by the subfolder names and described in detail in the subfolder description. One subfolder contains the information of templates used for parametric exploration or derived from in vivo images of fibrilar matrix of pulmonary arteries in normortensive and hypertensive animals. Three subfolders contain images that demonstrate the approach to optimize 3D hydrogel printing features including resolution, fidelity, and swelling ratio using printing parameters such as ink composition, UV intensity and exposure time, which are identified by the filenames. The final two subfolders show the printed microgels for cell culture and the creation of vascular-mimic structures for studying the physiological differences between diseased and normal blood vessels.

The second folder contains images that demonstrate pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in 3D-printed hydrogels with the templates taken from hypertensive (HX) or normentensive (NX) artery samples. The cells were stained using immunofluorescent techniques with alpha-SMA or paxillin focal adhesion molecule as well as stained with (Ca2+)-sensitive dye to visualize calcium cycling in live cells for characterizing their contracile functions in response to vasoactive substances.