Three-Dimensional Printing Constructs Based on the Chitosan for Tissue Regeneration: State of the Art, Developing Directions and Prospect Trends

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) has gained particular attention in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, antibacterial feature, and biodegradability. Hence, many studies have focused on the manufacturing of CS films, scaffolds, particulate, and inks via different production methods. Nowadays, with the possibility of the precise adjustment of porosity size and shape, fiber size, suitable interconnectivity of pores, and creation of patient-specific constructs, 3D printing has overcome the limitations of many traditional manufacturing methods. Therefore, the fabrication of 3D printed CS scaffolds can lead to promising advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. A review of additive manufacturing types, CS-based printed constructs, their usages as biomaterials, advantages, and drawbacks can open doors to optimize CS-based constructions for biomedical applications. The latest technological issues and upcoming capabilities of 3D printing with CS-based biopolymers for different applications are also discussed. This review article will act as a roadmap aiming to investigate chitosan as a new feedstock concerning various 3D printing approaches which may be employed in biomedical fields. In fact, the combination of 3D printing and CS-based biopolymers is extremely appealing particularly with regard to certain clinical purposes. Complications of 3D printing coupled with the challenges associated with materials should be recognized to help make this method feasible for wider clinical requirements. This strategy is currently gaining substantial attention in terms of several industrial biomedical products. In this review, the key 3D printing approaches along with revealing historical background are initially presented, and ultimately, the applications of different 3D printing techniques for fabricating chitosan constructs will be discussed. The recognition of essential complications and technical problems related to numerous 3D printing techniques and CS-based biopolymer choices according to clinical requirements is crucial. A comprehensive investigation will be required to encounter those challenges and to completely understand the possibilities of 3D printing in the foreseeable future.

Preliminary Evaluation of 3D Printed Chitosan/Pectin Constructs for Biomedical Applications

“…3D printing offers control over the size, shape and microstructure and allows the direct incorporation of cells to produce cell-laden scaffolds. Among the different 3D printing technologies, natural polymers, and especially CS, have been 3D printed with extrusion-based, fused-deposition modeling and solvent dispensing methods [ 12 , 15 ].…”

Polymethyl Methacrylate-Based Bone Cements Containing Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Oxide: An Overview of Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties

“…It has been demonstrated that PMMA-based BCs cannot form covalent bonds with the natural bone, and a lack of interactions may induce implant loosening after a while. According to the results, the addition of CNTs, GO, and carbon-based composites [ 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 ] can enhance the setting times, temperature, strength, bioactivity, and cellular activity of the PMMA-based BCs. However, it is believed that utilization of GO could have further impact than CNTs reinforcing agents on enhancement of the strength and durability of PMMA-based BCs, conquering the potential issue presented by premature failure of the implant.…”

Chitosan-Hydrogel Polymeric Scaffold Acts as an Independent Primary Inducer of Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

“…It is also able to support growth factor activity [32,34]. For these reasons, chitosan is used in tissue engineering, production of artificial organs, biotechnologies, and for the regeneration of damaged tissues [41][42][43]. Different chitosan-based scaffolds have been described in the scientific literature and all of them seem to be able to support cell growth and differentiation, with a focus on bone and cartilage regeneration [44,45].…”