The Importance of Interfaces in Multi‐Material Biofabricated Tissue Structures

Abstract

Biofabrication exploits additive manufacturing techniques for creating 3Dstructures with a precise geometry that aim to mimic a physiological cellular environment and to develop the growth of native tissues. The most recent approaches of 3D biofabrication integrate multiple technologies into a single biofabrication platform combining different materials within different length scales to achieve improved construct functionality. However, the importance of interfaces between the different material phases, has not been adequately explored. This is known to determine material's interaction and ultimately mechanical and biological performance of biofabricated parts. In this review, this gap is bridged by critically examining the interface between different material phases in (bio)fabricated structures, with a particular focus on how interfacial interactions can compromise or define the mechanical (and biological) properties of the engineered structures. It is believed that the importance of interfacial properties between the different constituents of a composite material, deserves particular attention in its role in modulating the final characteristics of 3D tissue-like structures.

Engineering Heart Valve Interfaces Using Melt Electrowriting: Biomimetic Design Strategies from Multi‐Modal Imaging

“…Thus, the design strategy for interfacing the different architectures of multi‐phasic MEW scaffolds requires careful consideration, as this could impact their ultimate mechanical and biological functionality. [ 5 ] Here, we systematically investigated the effect on scaffold behavior of three different interfacing methods compatible with MEW printing: overlapping, suturing, and continuous (Figure 3B). Previously, we have successfully used the former two methods to interface spatially heterogeneous regions with MEW, [ 20 ] but the effect of the interface on the resulting scaffold was not examined.…”

“…[4] Accordingly, when attempting to biofabricate scaffolds for these tissues, the interfaces represent a pivotal, yet challenging piece of the puzzle. [5] The majority of research surrounding engineering of tissue interfaces relates to soft-hard tissue interfaces in areas such as the ligaments and tendons, [6] cartilages, [7,8] as well as dental, [9] and craniomaxillofacial implants. [10,11] In these applications, heterogeneous scaffolds have been achieved through advanced manufacturing techniques, such as multi-axial extrusion, [12][13][14] varying degrees of crosslinking, [15] two step phase separation, [16] multi-material bioinks, [17,18] and through controlled spatial deposition of biomaterials with advanced 3D printing technologies.…”

Generation of Alveolar Epithelium Using Reconstituted Basement Membrane and hiPSC‐Derived Organoids

“…Starting from this simple device configuration, sophisticated tissue organization becomes enviable. [ 48,49 ]…”

Hybprinting for musculoskeletal tissue engineering

“…Specifically, D. Cho and coworkers have been focusing on developing various decellularized ECM for multiple tissue engineering applications (Cho et al, 2021), notably bone-tendon interface (Chae et al, 2021). Moreover, J. Malda and coworkers also systematically studied and reviewed the underlying structural, mechanical, and chemical properties of multi-tissue or multi-material interfaces, which provide insight for engineering a multi-tissue construct (Viola et al, 2021). A few other groups also joined the effort in developing integrated 3D printing systems for complex tissues engineering (Daly et al, 2016;Izadifar et al, 2016;Lee et al, 2013;Rak Kwon et al, 2020;Toure ´et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2021a).…”