Spatially Guided Construction of Multilayered Epidermal Models Recapturing Structural Hierarchy and Cell-Cell...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Tissue Engineering
• Dermatology

Background:

• Recreating distinct epidermal layers in 3D bioprinted skin is challenging.
• Stratified epidermis models are crucial for studying diseases like pemphigus vulgaris (PV), which affects cell-cell junctions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D bioprinting method that recreates the epidermal structural hierarchy, specifically the basal and suprabasal layers.
• To establish a functional in vitro model for studying PV pathogenesis and testing therapies.

Main Methods:

• Combined 3D bioprinting with spatially guided keratinocyte self-reorganization.
• Utilized fibrin hydrogels with geographical cues to direct collective cell migration, differentiation, and expansion.
• Formed self-organized multilayers (SOMs) exhibiting basal to suprabasal transition.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated stratified skin tissue with distinct epidermal layers.
• Demonstrated basal to suprabasal transition through keratin expression.
• Showcased the model's utility in observing PV antibody effects on cell-cell junctions.

Conclusions:

• The developed method effectively reconstructs deep epidermal layers using guided cell self-organization.
• The 3D bioprinted skin model serves as a valuable platform for PV research and preclinical therapy testing.