Layer-by-Layer 3D Constructs of Fibroblasts in Hydrogel for Examining Transdermal Penetration Capability of Nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles are emerging transdermal delivery systems. Their size and surface properties determine their efficacy and efficiency to penetrate through the skin layers. This work utilizes three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology to generate a simplified artificial skin model to rapidly screen nanoparticles for their transdermal penetration ability. Specifically, this model is built through layer-by-layer alternate printing of blank collagen hydrogel and fibroblasts. Through controlling valve on-time, the spacing between printing lines could be accurately tuned, which could enable modulation of cell infiltration in the future. To confirm the effectiveness of this platform, a 3D construct with one layer of fibroblasts sandwiched between two layers of collagen hydrogel is used to screen silica nanoparticles with different surface charges for their penetration ability, with positively charged nanoparticles demonstrating deeper penetration, consistent with the observation from an existing study involving living skin tissue.
1 School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.|2 Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China.
Xiaochun
X
Hou
1 School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Shiying
S
Liu
1 School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Min
M
Wang
1 School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Christian
C
Wiraja
2 Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China.
Wei
W
Huang
3 Faculty of Science Engineering & Technology, Swinburne University of Australia, Hawthorn, Australia.
Peggy
P
Chan
1 School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Timothy
T
Tan
1 School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.|4 NTU-Northwestern Institute for Nanomedicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Chenjie
C
Xu
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D062028:Bioprinting; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D017768:Skin, Artificial
D004337:Drug Carriers; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
3D printing; artificial skin model; hydrogel; nanoparticles; transdermal delivery