Bioprinted hASC-laden cell constructs with mechanically stable and cell alignment cue for tenogenic differentiation

Abstract

Abstract 3D bioprinting is a technology that enables the precise and controlled deposition of cells and an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) to create functional tissue constructs. However, current 3D bioprinting methods still struggle to obtain mechanically stable and unique cell-morphological structures, such as fully aligned cells. In this study, we propose a new 3D bioprinting approach that utilizes a high concentration of bioink without cells to support mechanical properties and drag flow to fully align cells in a thin bath filled with cell-laden bioink, resulting in a hybrid cell-laden construct with a mechanical stable and fully aligned cell structure. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we used it to fabricate a cell-laden construct using human adipose stem cells (hASCs) for tendon tissue engineering. To achieve appropriate processing conditions, various factors such as the bioink concentration, nozzle moving speed, and volume flow rate were considered. To enhance the biocompatibility of the cell-laden construct, we used porcine decellularized tendon ECM. In vitro cellular responses, including tenogenic differentiation of the fabricated hybrid cell structures with aligned or randomly distributed cells, were evaluated using hASCs. In addition, the mechanical properties of the hybrid cell-laden construct could be adjusted by controlling the concentration of the mechanically reinforcing strut using methacrylated tendon-decellularized extracellular matrix. Based on these results, the hybrid cell-laden structure has the potential to be a highly effective platform for the alignment of musculoskeletal tissues.