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Flexible Adipose-Vascular Tissue Assembly Using Combinational 3D Printing for Volume-Stable Soft Tissue
Won-Woo Cho1,2, Byoung Soo Kim2,3, Minjun Ahn1,2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Kyungbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|November 25, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a novel method for soft tissue engineering by assembling 3D printed adipose-vascular tissue modules. The engineered tissue modules demonstrate stable volume, neovascularization, and adipogenesis, offering a promising approach for functional tissue reconstruction.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Traditional adipose tissue engineering faces challenges including hypoxia, poor vascularization, and mechanical property mismatch.
- Previous methods often result in limited vascularization and volume instability in engineered tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and develop a novel concept for soft tissue engineering using assembled cell-laden tissue modules.
- To engineer flexible, non-hypoxic, and volume-stable adipose-vascular tissue assemblies.
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the engineered tissue assemblies for functional reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of adipose-vascular tissue modules using planar 3D cell printing with customized bioinks and synthetic polymer substructures.
- Assembly of tissue modules into a module holder using rotational 3D printing to create a flexible, volumetric tissue construct.
- In vitro and in vivo evaluations to assess the stability, vascularization, and adipogenesis of the engineered tissue.
Main Results:
- Successful engineering of flexible and volumetric adipose-vascular tissue assemblies.
- Demonstrated stable volume, significant neovascularization, and adipogenesis in implanted assemblies over four weeks.
- Newly formed lipid droplets and tissue morphology comparable to native adipose tissue.
Conclusions:
- The proposed cell printing-based tissue assembly is a pioneering approach for soft tissue engineering.
- This method overcomes limitations of previous adipose tissue engineering strategies, offering improved vascularization and volume stability.
- The engineered tissue assemblies show potential for functional reconstruction of soft tissues.
