Bioprinting Technology in Skin, Heart, Pancreas and Cartilage Tissues: Progress and Challenges in Clinical Practice

Abstract

Bioprinting is an emerging additive manufacturing technique which shows an outstanding potential for shaping customized functional substitutes for tissue engineering. Its introduction into the clinical space in order to replace injured organs could ideally overcome the limitations faced with allografts. Presently, even though there have been years of prolific research in the field, there is a wide gap to bridge in order to bring bioprinting from “bench to bedside”. This is due to the fact that bioprinted designs have not yet reached the complexity required for clinical use, nor have clear GMP (good manufacturing practices) rules or precise regulatory guidelines been established. This review provides an overview of some of the most recent and remarkable achievements for skin, heart, pancreas and cartilage bioprinting breakthroughs while highlighting the critical shortcomings for each tissue type which is keeping this technique from becoming widespread reality.

3D printing nacre powder/sodium alginate scaffold loaded with PRF promotes bone tissue repair and regeneration

“…3D printing, as an emerging manufacturing technology, has gained significant attention in the field of BTE. 29 It boasts various advantages, including personalized design, a suitable specific surface area, and appropriate pore size, distinguishing it from other methods. 30,31 However, there are few reports on the application of 3D printed NP-based bone materials.…”

Cell Encapsulation and 3D Bioprinting for Therapeutic Cell Transplantation

“…However, all of these attempts mainly resulted in reducing a patient's painful symptoms, but not in an exact biological regeneration of native tissue. 266 Since 3D printers have difficulty recreating neo-angiogenesis in tissue engineering, 266 cartilage is one of the easiest tissues to regenerate, bioprint, and engineer as it is not vascularized, not innervated, and only indirectly supplied with blood. Because 3D bioprinting enables precise control over material deposition and cell positioning, it has the ability to create constructs that mimic the layered structure of the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM).…”

“…Many orthopedic researchers have tried to regenerate cartilage (especially in joints) by transplanting either autologous human chondrocytes or mesenchymal cells. However, all of these attempts mainly resulted in reducing a patient’s painful symptoms, but not in an exact biological regeneration of native tissue …”

A focused review on three-dimensional bioprinting technology for artificial organ fabrication

“…Bioprinting of pancreatic tissues 3D bioprinting has recently become a viable alternative for constructing an artificial pancreas. 151 It can be used to place living cells at the exact scale of a human organ at the desired location. Additionally, 3D bioprinting is used to create the vascularization of the artificial pancreas.…”