Laser printing of cells into 3D scaffolds

Abstract

One of the most promising approaches in tissue engineering is the application of 3D scaffolds, which provide cell support and guidance in the initial tissue formation stage. The porosity of the scaffold and internal pore organization influence cell migration and play a major role in its biodegradation dynamics, nutrient diffusion and mechanical stability. In order to control cell migration and cellular interactions within the scaffold, novel technologies capable of producing 3D structures in accordance with predefined design are required. The two-photon polymerization (2PP) technique, used in this report for the fabrication of scaffolds, allows the realization of arbitrary 3D structures with submicron spatial resolution. Highly porous 3D scaffolds, produced by 2PP of acrylated poly(ethylene glycol), are seeded with cells by means of laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT). In this laser printing approach, a propulsive force, resulting from laser-induced shock wave, is used to propel individual cells or cell groups from a donor substrate towards the receiver substrate. We demonstrate that with this technique printing of multiple cell types into 3D scaffolds is possible. Combination of LIFT and 2PP provides a route for the realization of 3D multicellular tissue constructs and artificial ECM engineered on the microscale.

Laser-assisted biofabrication in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

“…Moreover, a proof-of-concept study by Ovsianikov et al investigated the applicability of multi-photon polymerization in combination with LIFT as a novel dual fabrication technique for creating highly porous (pore size 92 lm) 3D scaffolds seeded with multiple cell types. 73 …”

Biofabrication: an overview of the approaches used for printing of living cells

“…For example, Chichkov et al used it to achieve selective seeding of acrylated PEG scaffolds with ovine vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells printed from alginate-based inks (Ovsianikov et al 2010). The same group also reported printing HUVEC and human MSCs onto polyester composite cardiac patches which they implanted in infracted rat hearts to yield functional improvement (Gaebel et al 2011).…”

Tissue Engineering for Tissue and Organ Regeneration

“…We have shown for the first time that fibrin-based vascular grafts attain a supraphysiological burst strength sufficient for arterial implantation after just 21 days of mechanical conditioning in such a bioreactor system (Tschoeke et al, 2008). We followed up this report with a preclinical study in a large animal model, which presented data on the first series of fibrin-based grafts to be implanted in the arterial circulation (ovine carotid model) (Koch et al, 2010). In this model, the grafts showed no evidence for thrombus formation, aneurysm, calcification or infection, and remained patent for at least 6 months in vivo.…”

“…The grafts maintained a functional endothelial lining in vivo, and the fibrin-based scaffold was completely replaced by autologous connective tissue elements (e.g. collagen, elastin) after 6 months of implantation (Koch et al, 2010). …”