3D Printing of Neural Tissues Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using a Fibrin-Based Bioink

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Stem Cell Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• 3D bioprinting automates tissue engineering by positioning cells in bioinks to create tissue replacements.
• Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are crucial for neural tissue engineering due to their expansion and differentiation capabilities.
• Current neural differentiation protocols involve hiPSC aggregates in microwells, but 3D bioprinting of these aggregates is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and report methods for 3D bioprinting of hiPSC-derived neural aggregates.
• To create specialized bioinks supporting cell survival and differentiation into mature neural phenotypes.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of generating 3D neural tissues using advanced bioprinting technology.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of base material components for specialized bioinks.
• Production of bioinks optimized for hiPSC-derived neural aggregates.
• Utilizing Aspect Biosystems' RX1 printer and lab-on-a-printer (LOP) technology for 3D bioprinting.

Main Results:

• Successful development of methods for preparing and producing novel bioinks.
• Demonstration of 3D bioprinting of hiPSC-derived neural aggregates.
• Establishment of a workflow for creating 3D neural tissues from hiPSC aggregates.

Conclusions:

• This work presents a novel approach for 3D bioprinting of hiPSC-derived neural tissues.
• The developed methods and bioinks support cell survival and pave the way for mature neural tissue generation.
• This advancement holds significant potential for automating neural tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.