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Published on: August 7, 2020
3D bioprinted liver tissue and disease models: Current advances and future perspectives
Lejia Sun1, Yinhan Wang2, Shuquan Zhang2
1Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China; Department of General Surgery, The First affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers a promising approach for creating complex tissue constructs. This review compares bioprinting technologies and materials for fabricating hepatic tissues, highlighting future directions.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is advancing the fabrication of complex tissue constructs.
- Bioprinting aims to achieve biomimetic biological functions and stable mechanical properties in engineered tissues.
- Hepatic tissue engineering is a key area benefiting from bioprinting advancements.
Approach:
- This review compares various bioprinting technologies and biomaterials.
- It summarizes strategies for bioprinting normal and diseased hepatic tissues.
- The study contrasts 3D bioprinting with other bio-fabrication methods like organoids and spheroids.
Key Points:
- 3D bioprinting enables the creation of intricate tissue structures.
- Comparison of different bioprinting techniques and materials is crucial for progress.
- Strengths and weaknesses of 3D printing in tissue fabrication are analyzed.
- Vascularization and primary human hepatocyte culture are identified as key future challenges.
Conclusions:
- 3D bioprinting holds significant potential for tissue engineering, particularly for hepatic tissues.
- Further research into vascularization and cell sourcing is essential for clinical translation.
- Optimizing bioprinting strategies will enhance the development of functional tissue constructs.
