Review on Multicomponent Hydrogel Bioinks Based on Natural Biomaterials for Bioprinting 3D Liver Tissues

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed in vitro tissue models have been used in various biomedical fields owing to numerous advantages such as enhancements in cell response and functionality. In liver tissue engineering, several studies have been reported using 3D-printed liver tissue models with improved cellular responses and functions in drug screening, liver disease, and liver regenerative medicine. However, the application of conventional single-component bioinks for the printing of 3D in vitro liver constructs remains problematic because of the complex structural and physiological characteristics of the liver. The use of multicomponent bioinks has become an attractive strategy for bioprinting 3D functional in vitro liver tissue models because of the various advantages of multicomponent bioinks, such as improved mechanical properties of the printed tissue construct and cell functionality. Therefore, it is essential to review various 3D bioprinting techniques and multicomponent hydrogel bioinks proposed for liver tissue engineering to suggest future directions for liver tissue engineering. Accordingly, we herein review multicomponent bioinks for 3D-bioprinted liver tissues. We first describe the fabrication methods capable of printing multicomponent bioinks and introduce considerations for bioprinting. We subsequently categorize and evaluate the materials typically utilized for multicomponent bioinks based on their characteristics. In addition, we also review recent studies for the application of multicomponent bioinks to fabricate in vitro liver tissue models. Finally, we discuss the limitations of current studies and emphasize aspects that must be resolved to enhance the future applicability of such bioinks.

Development and implementation of a significantly low-cost 3D bioprinter using recycled scrap material

“…The use of a single bioink component has been proven limited, as it is harder to achieve biochemical and biophysical properties similar to the natural extracellular matrix. Therefore, other biopolymers must be used to guarantee better printability, viability, and construct shape (Kim et al, 2022). To improve these parameters, gelatin was added to the biopolymer mixture.…”

3D Printing Technologies in Personalized Medicine, Nanomedicines, and Biopharmaceuticals

“…Special attention must be paid to ensure that the pressure exerted does not affect cell viability. The printing speed is usually much lower than with FDM printers to achieve better resolution [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. The most common excipients used in PAM are Carbopol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxymethyl cellulose (HPMC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) [ 38 ].…”

In vitro construction of liver organoids with biomimetic lobule structure by a multicellular 3D bioprinting strategy

“…1,2 Over the past few decades, liver modelling using human cells in petri dishes has contributed greatly to a variety of important research related to liver disease treatment and liver regeneration. [3][4][5] Organoid models have gradually matured and become prominent in recent years. [6][7][8][9] Compared with traditional monolayer culture and animal models, organoids are able to partially reproduce key physiological features of the native human organs, including cell heterogeneity, spatial structure and microenvironment, and provide important cell-cell and extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions.…”

“…However, the problems of donor organ shortage, matching type and immune rejection greatly limit its wide application 1,2 . Over the past few decades, liver modelling using human cells in petri dishes has contributed greatly to a variety of important research related to liver disease treatment and liver regeneration 3–5 …”