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Updated: Jul 31, 2025
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Creating Transient Cell Membrane Pores Using a Standard Inkjet Printer
Published on: March 16, 2012
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Thermal inkjet bioprinting drastically alters cell phenotype
Patricia Ablanedo Morales1, Brittany Rodriguez2, Michael E Furth1
1Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States of America.
Biofabrication
|May 9, 2023
Summary
Inkjet bioprinting temporarily dedifferentiates adult dermal fibroblasts, inducing a pluripotent-like state. This transformation is confirmed by pluripotency markers and gene expression changes, crucial for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Inkjet bioprinting presents challenges in quantifying cell input and output.
- Characterizing cells within printing systems is difficult due to their location.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cell behavior and transformations induced by inkjet bioprinting.
- To analyze the phenotypic and molecular changes in fibroblasts post-bioprinting.
Main Methods:
- Primary and immortalized adult dermal fibroblasts were bioprinted using inkjet technology.
- Immunostaining and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) were employed for cell analysis.
- Cells were subjected to cardiomyocyte differentiation protocols.
Main Results:
- Bioprinted fibroblasts expressed key pluripotency markers (oct-4, nanog, sox-2).
- Cells showed cardiomyocyte-like morphology and expressed troponin-3 after differentiation.
- RNA-Seq revealed upregulation of stem cell markers and activation of the hippo pathway.
Conclusions:
- Inkjet bioprinting induces a temporary dedifferentiated, pluripotent-like state in fibroblasts.
- Understanding these transient cellular changes is vital for advancing bioprinting in tissue construction.
- Combined immunochemistry and gene expression data provide a nuanced view of bioprinting-induced cell transformations.
