3D Bioprinted Patient-Specific Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds for Soft Tissue Defects

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries often result in scar formation and functional deficits due to their large size.
• Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds can modulate immune responses and promote constructive healing.
• Fabricating acellular dECM scaffolds into complex, patient-specific geometries remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for fabricating large-volume, patient-specific dECM scaffolds using 3D bioprinting.
• To assess the dimensional accuracy and conformal adaptation of these scaffolds in VML wound models.
• To demonstrate the potential for clinical translation in treating soft tissue defects.

Main Methods:

• Utilized freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH) 3D bioprinting combined with computed tomography (CT) imaging.
• Created patient-specific dECM patches (approximately 12 x 8 x 2 cm) for canine VML wound models.
• Extended the technique to fabricate human VML injury scaffolds with controlled micro-architecture.

Main Results:

• Developed a process for creating dimensionally accurate, large-volume dECM patches.
• Demonstrated conformal adaptation of the scaffolds to complex wound surfaces.
• Achieved precise control over fiber alignment and micro-architecture in human VML scaffolds.

Conclusions:

• FRESH 3D bioprinting enables the fabrication of patient-specific dECM scaffolds for VML injuries.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for functional tissue regeneration in complex soft tissue defects.
• Advancements represent a step towards clinically translatable treatments for trauma and surgical reconstruction.