title: Post-bioprinting processing methods to improve cell viability and pattern fidelity in heterogeneous tissue test systems.
abstract: Bioprinted tissue test systems show promise as a powerful tool for studying cell-cell interaction in heterogeneous, tissue-like co-culture. Several challenges were encountered while attempting to consistently fabricate samples with high viability and pattern fidelity. This paper evaluates four methods for processing samples after bioprinting but prior to adding media for incubation. These methods, composed of various combinations of three techniques meant to promote cell hydration, are evaluated with respect to sample viability and pattern preservation. In the best performing method, Hank's Balanced Salt Solution was applied immediately after fabrication and a collagen overlayer was applied one hour thereafter. The success of this method highlights the ability of the collagen substrate to absorb moisture, which promotes cell health without disturbing the cell's printed location. An addendum to the main study is an investigation of the limits of an HP26 print cartridge to deposit cells at a faster rate for the purpose of creating cell layers with densities that approach confluence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Institute for Biological Interfaces of Engineering at Clemson University, SC 29634-0915 USA.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: Cheryl A P
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cass
authors.forename: Justin P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mattimore
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: Brian W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: Karen J L
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Groff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D003470:Culture Media; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; C072670:Hanks Balanced Salt Solution; D007552:Isotonic Solutions