Incorporation of hair follicles in 3D bioprinted models of human skin

Abstract

Current approaches fail to adequately introduce complex adnexal structures such as hair follicles within tissue engineered models of skin. Here, we report on the use of 3D bioprinting to incorporate these structures in engineered skin tissues. Spheroids, induced by printing dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs), were precisely printed within a pregelled dermal layer containing fibroblasts. The resulting tissue developed hair follicle–like structures upon maturation, supported by migration of keratinocytes and melanocytes, and their morphology and composition grossly mimicked that of the native skin tissue. Reconstructed skin models with increased complexity that better mimic native adnexal structures can have a substantial impact on regenerative medicine as grafts and efficacy models to test the safety of chemical compounds.

Melanocyte stem cells in the skin: Origin, biological characteristics, homeostatic maintenance and therapeutic potential

“…Additionally, recently, HF structures constructed entirely from human primary cells have been successfully fabricated using 3D bioprinting technology. 108 Three‐dimensional bioprinting technology can create models with complex structures, which lay the foundation for further research on the differentiation process and biological characteristics of MSCs. Meanwhile, 3D bioprinting technology can also be employed to construct disease models such as vitiligo, which can help to study the role of MSCs in the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease.…”

Microgels for Cell Delivery in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

“…This technology has been utilized for fabricating complex models of hearts, brain tissue, blood vessels, etc. [ 111 ]. Despite being in the nascent stages of research, 3D bioprinting exhibits tremendous potential.…”

Regenerative Cosmetics: Skin Tissue Engineering for Anti-Aging, Repair, and Hair Restoration

“…Despite the advances, these in vitro TE approaches often lack the intricate physiological structural organization and microenvironment of the native HF niche, essential for HF regeneration. To better mimic the native tissue, 3D bioprinting enables the automated, reproducible, and highthroughput biofabrication of advanced skin models incorporating several cell types and adnexal structures [74]. Regeneration of HF-like structures has been achieved by 3D bioprinting complex skin constructs incorporating DPCs, as well as Epi-SCs and SKPs [74][75][76] (Figure 3).…”

“…To better mimic the native tissue, 3D bioprinting enables the automated, reproducible, and highthroughput biofabrication of advanced skin models incorporating several cell types and adnexal structures [74]. Regeneration of HF-like structures has been achieved by 3D bioprinting complex skin constructs incorporating DPCs, as well as Epi-SCs and SKPs [74][75][76] (Figure 3).…”