Title : 3D bioprinting of tissue-specific dECM hydrogels for functional tissue engineering
Abstract:
Background: In tissue engineering, hydrogels made from decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) are gaining prominence because of their inherent biochemical composition and biocompatibility. They provide a platform for 3D bioprinting structures tailored to a given tissue. Hydrogels that encapsulate cells in dECM bioinks facilitate the creation of functional structures that have uses in disease modelling, regenerative medicine, and customized therapeutic solutions.
Objective: To 3D Bioprint Tissue-Specific dECM Hydrogels for Functional Tissue Engineering
Methods: Muscle, cartilage, and submucosal dECM hydrogels were processed into bioinks and encapsulated with specific cell types. Lattice fidelity and mechanical stability were secured by precisely calibrated 3D bioprinting parameters. While mechanical and biochemical tests evaluated stiffness, bioactivity, and matrix deposition, biological markers were used to evaluate printed structures for cell viability, differentiation, and tissue-specific functionality.
Results: Tissue-specific markers confirmed cell differentiation and functionality, while bioprinted structures demonstrated exceptional cell vitality (>90%). These results demonstrate the adaptability of dECM-based bioinks in producing tissue-specific, functional constructs that may find use in disease models, regenerative medicine, and customized treatments. Our findings pave the way for customizing dECM hydrogels to meet tissue engineering requirements, bringing bioprinting closer to practical implementation.
Conclusion: This work shows how dECM-based bioinks can be used to optimize 3D bioprinting and create tissue-specific, functional structures. The constructs demonstrated tissue-specific functionality, high cell viability, and structural fidelity, underscoring the versatility of dECM hydrogels for personalized therapies, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine. These results open the door to customizing dECM bioinks to satisfy various tissue engineering requirements.
