Electrostimulation-Based Decellularized Matrix Bladder Patch Promotes Bladder Repair in Rats.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Bladder tissue engineering aims to repair defects but faces challenges in vascularization and neural regeneration.
• Current methods often lack sufficient integration and functional recovery of the native bladder tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel bioinks and 3D-printed patches for enhanced bladder defect repair.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) and electrical stimulation (ES) on graft performance.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of two bioinks (GCM0.2 and GCM0.2-ADSC) using gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), chitin nanocrystals (ChiNC), and titanium carbide (MXene).
• 3D printing of bioinks onto bladder acellular matrix (BAM) to create BAM-GCM0.2 and BAM-GCM0.2-ADSC patches.
• Application of electrical stimulation to BAM-GCM0.2-ADSC patches, creating GCM0.2-ADSC-ES patches, and testing in rat bladder defect models.

Main Results:

• The GCM0.2-ADSC-ES patch significantly enhanced smooth muscle regeneration from 24.05% to 57.38%.
• Vascularization increased from 5.33% to 12.72% and nerve regeneration from 0.23% to 1.37% with the GCM0.2-ADSC-ES patch.
• The GCM0.2-ADSC-ES patch demonstrated superior repair capabilities compared to direct suturing (Control group).

Conclusions:

• The combination of ADSC and electrical stimulation in 3D-printed patches significantly promotes bladder tissue regeneration.
• The developed GCM0.2-ADSC-ES patch represents a promising strategy for treating bladder defects.
• This study opens new avenues for advanced bladder reconstruction and repair techniques.