Generation of three-dimensional hepatocyte/gelatin structures with rapid prototyping system.
Using rapid prototyping technology, three-dimensional (3D) structures composed of hepatocytes and gelatin hydrogel have been formed. This technique employs a highly accurate 3D micropositioning system with a pressure-controlled syringe to deposit cell/biomaterial structures with a lateral resolution of 10 microm. The pressure-activated micro-syringe is equipped with a fine-bore exit needle for which a wide variety of 3D patterns with different arrays of channels (through-holes) were created. More than 30 layers of a hepatocyte/gelatin mixture were laminated into a high spacial structure using this method. The laminated hepatocytes remained viable and performed biological functions in the construct for more than 2 months. The rapid prototyping technology offers potential for eventual high-throughout production of artificial human tissues or organs.
Wang
Xiaohong
X
Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing by Materials Processing Technology and Center of Organism Manufacturing, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. wangxiaochong@tsinghua.edu.cn
Yan
Yongnian
Y
Pan
Yuqiong
Y
Xiong
Zhuo
Z
Liu
Haixia
H
Cheng
Jie
J
Liu
Feng
F
Lin
Feng
F
Wu
Rendong
R
Zhang
Renji
R
Lu
Qingping
Q
D000818:Animals; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005780:Gelatin; D005976:Glutaral; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D051381:Rats; D023822:Tissue Engineering
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005780:Gelatin; D005976:Glutaral