Transformation of Breast Reconstruction via Additive Biomanufacturing.
Adipose tissue engineering offers a promising alternative to current breast reconstruction options. However, the conventional approach of using a scaffold in combination with adipose-derived precursor cells poses several problems in terms of scalability and hence clinical feasibility. Following the body-as-a-bioreactor approach, this study proposes a unique concept of delayed fat injection into an additive biomanufactured and custom-made scaffold. Three study groups were evaluated: Empty scaffold, Scaffold containing 4 cm(3) lipoaspirate and Empty scaffold +2-week prevascularisation period. In group 3, of prevascularisation, 4 cm(3) of lipoaspirate was injected into scaffolds after 2 weeks. Using a well-characterised additive biomanufacturing technology platform, patient-specific scaffolds made of medical-grade-polycaprolactone were designed and fabricated. Scaffolds were implanted in subglandular pockets in immunocompetent minipigs (n = 4) for 24-weeks. Angiogenesis and adipose tissue regeneration were observed in all constructs. Histological evaluation showed that the prevascularisation + lipoaspirate group had the highest relative area of adipose tissue (47.32% ± 4.12) which was significantly higher than both lipoaspirate-only (39.67% ± 2.04) and empty control group (8.31% ± 8.94) and similar to native breast tissue (44.97% ± 14.12). This large preclinical animal study provides proof-of-principle that the clinically applicable prevascularisation and delayed fat-injection techniques can be used for regeneration of large volumes of adipose tissue.
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Mohit P
MP
Chhaya
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.|Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Elizabeth R
ER
Balmayor
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.|Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Dietmar W
DW
Hutmacher
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.|School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Jan-Thorsten
JT
Schantz
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D051379:Mice; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D001672:Biocompatible Materials