A bioink blend for rotary 3D bioprinting tissue engineered small-diameter vascular constructs

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• 3D bioprinting offers potential for creating patient-specific vascular grafts.
• Autologous vessel grafts have limitations, driving demand for alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel bioink formulation and 3D bioprinting approach for fibrin-based vascular constructs.
• To investigate the influence of bioink composition and processing on printability and construct properties.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of a fibrinogen-gelatin bioink with shear-thinning properties for rotary 3D bioprinting.
• Systematic characterization of heat-treated gelatin concentration and cell density effects on printability and cell viability.
• In vitro culture and mechanical property analysis of printed vascular constructs over two months.

Main Results:

• Heat treatment of gelatin significantly impacted bioink rheology, printability, and cell viability.
• Vascular constructs exhibited increased collagen deposition and mechanical strength during culture.
• Achieved burst pressure of 1110 mmHg, comparable to human saphenous vein values.

Conclusions:

• The developed fibrinogen-gelatin bioink and rotary 3D bioprinting method are suitable for fabricating vascular constructs.
• Bioink formulation, including heat treatment of gelatin and cell density, are critical factors for successful vascular bioprinting.
• This approach advances the development of small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts.