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Morphometric study of bioprinted hydrogel deformation during histological preparation
Lucie Essayan1, Alexandre Dufour1, Emma Petiot1
13d.FAB, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France.
Journal of Histotechnology
|September 9, 2025
Summary
Histological preparation causes significant shrinkage in bioprinted hydrogels, with processing and fixation being key factors. Hydrogel structure influences deformation, necessitating tailored protocols for accurate tissue engineering assessment.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Histology
Background:
- Paraffin embedding is standard for tissue evaluation but causes unpredictable deformation and shrinkage.
- Bioprinted tissues require precise structural assessment, yet histological preparation can compromise integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify morphometric changes and shrinkage in alginate-gelatine bioprinted hydrogels during histological preparation.
- To investigate the impact of different morphologies (full slabs, porous slabs, porous cubes) and histological steps on hydrogel shrinkage.
Main Methods:
- Bioprinted hydrogels (full slabs, porous slabs, porous cubes) underwent standard histological processing: fixation, dehydration, clearing, paraffin infiltration, embedding, and slicing.
- Shrinkage factors were systematically measured after each major histological step.
Main Results:
- Processing caused the most significant shrinkage (34-40%), followed by fixation (20-28%).
- Porous structures showed greater shrinkage than full slabs.
- Porous cubes exhibited anisotropic shrinkage, with a total volumetric shrinkage of 81.3%.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel structure critically influences deformation during histological preparation.
- Tailored histological protocols are essential to maintain structural fidelity in bioprinted tissues.
- This study provides a framework for optimizing histology in bioengineered tissues for regenerative medicine.
