Characterization of cell viability during bioprinting processes

Area of Science:

• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Bioprinting Technology

Background:

• Bioprinting is crucial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, involving simultaneous deposition of cells, biomaterials, and growth factors.
• Understanding cell responses to mechanical stress during bioprinting is essential for controlling cell morphology and function.
• Bioprinting serves as a valuable tool for developing in vitro cell injury models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and quantify cell injury induced by the bioprinting process.
• To optimize bioprinting parameters for maximizing cell viability.
• To develop a model predicting cell viability based on process parameters.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a parametric study varying bioprinting parameters (pressure, nozzle diameter).
• Quantified cell injury by analyzing live, apoptotic, and necrotic cell percentages.
• Developed a phenomenological model correlating cell viability to process parameters and shear stress.

Main Results:

• Dispensing pressure significantly affects cell viability more than nozzle diameter.
• A notable 38.75% reduction in live cells was observed when printing at 40 psi compared to 5 psi.
• Developed an analytical formulation to predict cell viability as a function of maximum shear stress.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing bioprinting parameters, particularly dispensing pressure, is critical for maintaining cell viability.
• The study provides a predictive model for cell viability in bioprinting systems.
• Findings are vital for advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.