3D bioprinted complex constructs reinforced by hybrid multilayers of electrospun nanofiber sheets

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Hydrogels are useful for cell-based bioprinting but produce fragile constructs, limiting tissue engineering applications.
• Existing bioprinting methods struggle with shape fidelity and mechanical strength in hydrogel constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a hybrid bioprinting method integrating flexible nanofiber (NF) sheets with hydrogels.
• To improve the structural precision, mechanical properties, and cell bioactivity of 3D bioprinted constructs.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid integration method involving alternate layering of flexible nanofiber sheets during cell-hydrogel bioprinting.
• Bioprinting was performed on a nanofibrous surface to enhance shape resolution.
• NF sheets were embedded within the hydrogel construct to mitigate shrinkage distortion.

Main Results:

• Enhanced shape resolution and fidelity of 3D hydrogel constructs due to NF integration.
• Significant improvement in mechanical properties, including compressive strength and modulus (up to four-fold increase).
• Demonstrated fabrication of complex 3D structures with internal channels, supporting cell growth and showing 80% enhanced proliferation.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid NF-hydrogel bioprinting method overcomes the limitations of fragility and poor mechanical properties in traditional hydrogel constructs.
• This approach enables the creation of structurally precise and mechanically robust 3D scaffolds with improved bioactivity.
• The synergistic combination of NFs and hydrogels offers broad applicability for soft tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.