3D Printing of Noncytotoxic High-Resolution Microchannels in Bisphenol-A Ethoxylate Dimethacrylate Tissue-Mimicking Materials

Abstract

The ability to create cell-laden fluidic models that mimic the geometries and physical properties of vascularised tissue would be extremely beneficial to the study of disease aetiologies and future therapies, including in the case of cancer where there is increasing interest in studying alterations to the microvasculature. Engineered systems can present significant advantages over animal studies, alleviating challenges associated with variable complexity and control. 3D-printable tissue-mimicking hydrogels can offer an alternative, where control of the biophysical properties of the materials can be achieved. Hydrogel-based systems that can re-create complex, three-dimensional structures and channels with diameters below 500 µm are challenging to produce. We present a non-cytotoxic, photo-responsive hydrogel that supports 3D-printing of complex three-dimensional structures with microchannels down to 150 µm in diameter. Fine tuning of the 3D-printing process has allowed the production of complex structures, where for demonstration purposes we present a helical channel with diameters between 250 and 370 microns around a central channel of 150 microns in diameter in materials with mechanical and acoustic properties that closely replicate those of tissue. The ability to control and accurately reproduce the complex features of the microvasculature has value across a wide range of biomedical applications, especially when the materials involved accurately mimic the physical properties of tissue. An approach that is additionally cell-compatible provides a unique set up that can be exploited to study aspects of biomedical research with an unprecedented level of accuracy.

Investigating multi-material hydrogel three-dimensional printing for in vitro representation of the neo-vasculature of solid tumours: a comprehensive mechanical analysis and assessment of nitric oxide release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells

“…Since PB concentration plays a fundamental role in hydrogel three-dimensional printing resolution and mechanical properties, its influence on cell characteristics was investigated. Phase contrast microscopy revealed that, similarly to what was observed in previous work [ 12 ], BEMA10 and PEGDA10 do not support HUVEC growth or proliferation. Instead, all GelMA-based formulations supported cell adhesion, growth and proliferation, and the morphology of HUVECs changed depending on the substrate's properties.…”

“…Three-dimensional printing has been investigated extensively to produce tissue-mimicking constructs [ 12 , 13 ]. Continuous advances in three-dimensional printing have led to the development of specialized materials for specific biotechnological applications.…”