In situ printing of mesenchymal stromal cells, by laser-assisted bioprinting, for in vivo bone regeneration applications

Abstract

Bioprinting has emerged as a novel technological approach with the potential to address unsolved questions in the field of tissue engineering. We have recently shown that Laser Assisted Bioprinting (LAB), due to its unprecedented cell printing resolution and precision, is an attractive tool for the in situ printing of a bone substitute. Here, we show that LAB can be used for the in situ printing of mesenchymal stromal cells, associated with collagen and nano-hydroxyapatite, in order to favor bone regeneration, in a calvaria defect model in mice. Also, by testing different cell printing geometries, we show that different cellular arrangements impact on bone tissue regeneration. This work opens new avenues on the development of novel strategies, using in situ bioprinting, for the building of tissues, from the ground up.

3D bioprinting for cell culture and tissue fabrication

“…The results showed that cellular arrangements had obvious impacts on bone tissue regeneration ( Fig. 2b) [49]. Fedorovich et al printed intricate porous constructs containing endothelial progenitors and multipotent stromal cells embedded within Matrigel and alginate [50].…”

“…2a that hMSCs differentiated into perivascular cells in co-culture with HUVECs at day 7, forming a stabilized vasculature in the bone-like construct [48]. Based on the in vitro researches of 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering, Keriquel et al in situ printed MSCs-laden nano-hydroxyapatite and collagen bioinks in calvaria defec- Reproduced with permission [49]. Open Access tive mice.…”

3D Bioprinting in Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering

“…In laser‐assisted printing, a ribbon in glass or quartz is coated by a thin layer of metal (i.e., gold, titanium), which is then loaded with the bioink. A laser pulse induces the vaporization of the metal film resulting in the formation of a high pressure bubble that pushes a droplet of bioink toward the substrate . Laser‐assisted printing requires the use of bioinks with viscosities (<300 mPa s).…”

A perspective on 3D bioprinting in tissue regeneration

“…Bioprinting technologies can also be adapted to do in situ bioprinting. A recent example showed a laser-assisted bioprinting for in situ bioprinting of mesenchymal stromal cells in collagen and hydroxyapatite for bone tissue regeneration [16]. In situ bioprinting would be helpful for computerassisted medical interventions and development of medical bio-robotics.…”