Provided are tubular structures of a biocompatible, triggerably-dissolvable material such as cellulose or a copolymer having an LCST below physiological temperatures. The structures may be embedded within a cell growth scaffold. The tubular structures are useful in growing 3-dimensional tissue structures because nutrients, cytokines or other cell growth and/or differentiation compounds, as well as drugs, such as antibiotics and steroids, can be administered over time, and the tubular structures can be dissolved non-invasively.