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Bioprinting of Cartilage and Skin Tissue Analogs Utilizing a Novel Passive Mixing Unit Technique for Bioink Precellularization
Published on: January 3, 2018
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Fiber Reinforced Cartilage ECM Functionalized Bioinks for Functional Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Swetha Rathan1,2, Léa Dejob1,3, Rossana Schipani1,2
1Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|January 10, 2019
Summary
New cartilage extracellular matrix (cECM)-functionalized alginate bioinks enable 3D bioprinting of functional cartilaginous tissues. These advanced bioinks promote mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis and offer potential for direct cartilage repair strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Focal articular cartilage (AC) defects can progress to osteoarthritis, necessitating effective tissue engineering solutions.
- Current strategies struggle to produce functional AC capable of withstanding high loads.
- Developing biomimetic materials is crucial for successful cartilage regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel cartilage extracellular matrix (cECM)-functionalized alginate bioinks for 3D bioprinting of cartilaginous tissues.
- To evaluate the bioinks' potential for supporting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) viability and chondrogenesis.
- To explore mechanical reinforcement strategies for enhanced implant functionality.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of cECM-functionalized alginate bioinks.
- Assessment of bioink printability and MSC viability postprinting.
- In vitro evaluation of chondrogenesis markers (COLLII, ACAN, RUNX2) and calcium deposition.
- Mechanical testing of reinforced bioink constructs.
- Incorporation of TGF-β3 for enhanced chondrogenesis.
Main Results:
- Bioinks demonstrated 3D printability and supported MSC viability.
- Increased cECM concentration correlated with enhanced chondrogenesis and expression of COLLII and ACAN.
- Evidence of endochondral-like pathway progression (RUNX2, calcium deposition) was observed.
- Bioinks with MSCs and TGF-β3 supported robust chondrogenesis.
- 3D-printed polycaprolactone fiber networks mechanically reinforced bioinks without compromising cell viability.
Conclusions:
- cECM-functionalized alginate bioinks are promising for bioprinting functional cartilaginous tissues.
- These bioinks support MSC chondrogenesis and may enable direct "print-and-implant" cartilage repair.
- Mechanical reinforcement strategies can enhance the functional properties of bioprinted constructs.
- Combinatorial approaches in biofabrication hold potential for creating biomimetic cartilaginous implants.
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