3D bioprinting for modelling vasculature

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• In vivo models are crucial for studying tissue development but have limitations.
• Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers a reproducible and scalable in vitro alternative.
• Conventional microfluidic methods lack the precise 3D control of bioprinting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare various 3D bioprinting techniques for vasculature model fabrication.
• To discuss alternative biomaterial-free approaches using cell aggregates.
• To explore advancements in micro-vasculature construction and future prospects.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of extrusion-, droplet-, and laser-based bioprinting techniques.
• Discussion of hydrogel-based bioinks and biomaterial-free cell aggregates (spheroids, pellets).
• Analysis of strategies for fabricating micro-vasculature constructs.

Main Results:

• 3D bioprinting enables precise control over vascular construct fabrication.
• Both hydrogel bioinks and cell aggregates are viable for vascular modeling.
• Progress has been made in creating micro-vasculature for enhanced physiological relevance.

Conclusions:

• 3D bioprinting is a promising technology for developing in vitro vasculature models.
• Further research is needed to overcome limitations in fabricating large-scale vascular networks.
• Bioprinting holds significant potential for advancing vascular tissue engineering and disease modeling.