Advances in 3D skin bioprinting for wound healing and disease modeling

Abstract

Even with many advances in design strategies over the past three decades, an enormous gap remains between existing tissue engineering skin and natural skin. Currently available in vitro skin models still cannot replicate the three-dimensionality and heterogeneity of the dermal microenvironment sufficiently to recapitulate many of the known characteristics of skin disorder or disease in vivo. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting enables precise control over multiple compositions, spatial distributions, and architectural complexity, therefore offering hope for filling the gap of structure and function between natural and artificial skin. Our understanding of wound healing process and skin disease would thus be boosted by the development of in vitro models that could more completely capture the heterogeneous features of skin biology. Here we provide an overview of recent advances in 3D skin bioprinting, as well as design concepts of cells and bioinks suitable for the bioprinting process. We focus on the applications of this technology for engineering physiological or pathological skin model, focusing more specifically on the function of skin appendages and vasculature. We conclude with current challenges and the technical perspective for further development of 3D skin bioprinting.

Applications, advancements, and challenges of 3D bioprinting in organ transplantation

“…Sweat glands contain eccrine sweat glands and apocrine sweat glands, of which the former controls thermoregulation and sweating. 97 When injured with extensive trauma and deep burn, patients will usually suffer from the disorder of sweat gland regeneration and the pain of inability to sweat and dissipate heat. Regarding the reconstruction of the sweat glands, Huang et al 98,99 primarily fabricated ECM containing mouse PD homogenate via 3D bioprinting to create a microenvironment for the differentiation of epidermal progenitor cells.…”

3D skin bioprinting as promising therapeutic strategy for radiation‐associated skin injuries

“…are needed. 13,26 Previously, stem cell banking has been established for regenerative and personalised medicine. 45,46 So, it is necessary to consider setting up specialised seed cells banking for 3D skin bioprinting to meet future medical needs.…”

“…Previously, three‐dimensional (3D) bioprinting as one innovative and cutting‐edge life science technology is emerging 11,12 . What is more, the experimental studies for 3D bioprinting skin substitutes treating a variety of skin injuries have been reported 12–14 . However, the applications of 3D bioprinting skin in treating radiation‐associated skin injuries have not yet been addressed.…”

The rise of mechanical metamaterials: Auxetic constructs for skin wound healing

“…142 Finally, 3D bioprinting techniques are novel and also promising fabrication technologies developed in recent years that has been applied in several biomedical applications, including some encouraging results in skin regeneration studies. [143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150] 3D bioprinting involves a variety of techniques to control the printing process. Some of these techniques use extrusion-based methods, others rely on laser-assisted methods, and stereolithography is also a common option used for different applications.…”