Innovating chitosan-based bioinks for dermal wound healing: Current progress and future prospects.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, or additive manufacturing (AM), requires advanced bioinks with specific mechanical and cellular compatibility.
• Chitosan (CS) is a promising hydrogel precursor due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity, antimicrobial activity, and ability to promote wound healing and immune response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of chitosan-based bioinks for enhancing dermal wound healing therapies using 3D bioprinting.
• To highlight chitosan's unique properties for bioink development and discuss advancements in 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on chitosan-based bioinks and 3D bioprinting technologies.
• Examination of CS-based bioink formulation strategies and their impact on wound healing.
• Analysis of research translating 3D bioprinting for skin wound healing from laboratory to clinical applications.

Main Results:

• Chitosan possesses ideal physicochemical and biological properties for effective bioink formulation.
• 3D bioprinting technologies are advancing, enabling sophisticated tissue engineering applications.
• CS-based bioinks show significant potential in preclinical studies for promoting skin wound healing.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan-based bioinks are highly suitable for 3D bioprinting in regenerative medicine, particularly for dermal wound healing.
• Further research and innovation, including 4D printing, are crucial for clinical translation and commercialization.
• Addressing current challenges will pave the way for future advancements in biofabrication for skin repair.