3D printing of bio-instructive materials: Toward directing the cell

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Functional scaffolds are crucial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, demanding precise control over cellular performance.
• 3D printing offers advanced capabilities for fabricating complex, multicomponent structures with defined architecture and composition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review extrusion-based 3D printing (EBP) methods for producing bio-instructive scaffolds.
• To evaluate the impact of physical and biochemical cues on cellular responses within EBP scaffolds.
• To propose future directions in bio-instructive material development.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of extrusion-based 3D printing techniques: Near Field Electrospinning (NFES), Melt Electrowriting (MEW), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), and extrusion bioprinting.
• Analysis of how physical and biochemical cues influence cell alignment, proliferation, differentiation, ECM production, and tissue maturation.
• Review of existing literature on EBP scaffold fabrication and cellular response.

Main Results:

• EBP methods can produce scaffolds with bio-instructive properties, providing spatio-temporal guidance for cells.
• The effectiveness of physical and biochemical cues varies based on material systems, cell types, and cue combinations.
• Careful selection of cues is essential for tailoring scaffold performance to specific applications.

Conclusions:

• EBP techniques are vital for fabricating advanced engineered tissues with controlled cellular responses.
• Future research should focus on novel materials like metamaterials, hybrid living materials, and 4D printing for enhanced bio-instructive capabilities.
• Understanding cell-biomaterial interactions is key to designing next-generation tissue engineering scaffolds.