Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

In Vivo Gene Transfer to Schwann Cells in the Rodent Sciatic Nerve by Electroporation
Published on: September 8, 2016
3D bioprinted rat Schwann cell-laden structures with shape flexibility and enhanced nerve growth factor expression
Xinda Li1, Xiong Wang2, Xuanzhi Wang3
11Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting composite alginate-gelatin hydrogel has encouraged the fabrication of cell-laden functional structures with cells from various tissues. However, reports focusing on printing this hydrogel for nerve tissue research are limited. This study aims at building in vitro Schwann cell 3D microenvironment with customized shapes through 3D bioprinting technology. Rat Schwann cell RSC96s encapsulated in composite alginate-gelatin hydrogel were printed with an extrusion-based bioprinter. Cells maintained high viability of 85.35 ± 6.19% immediately after printing and the printed hydrogel supported long-term Schwann cell proliferation for 2 weeks. Furthermore, after 14 days of culturing, Schwann cells cultured in printed structures maintained viability of 92.34 ± 2.19% and showed enhanced capability of nerve growth factor (NGF) release (142.41 ± 8.99 pg/ml) compared with cells from two-dimensional culture (92.27 ± 9.30 pg/ml). Specific Schwann cell marker S100β was also expressed by cells in printed structures. These printed structures may have the potential to be used as in vitro neurotrophic factor carriers and could be integrated into complex biomimetic artificial structures with the assistance of 3D bioprinting technology.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH
Molecular Shapes
Two regions of electron density in a diatomic...
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Transcription Factors
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature

