title: Hybrid microscaffold-based 3D bioprinting of multi-cellular constructs with high compressive strength: A new biofabrication strategy.
abstract: A hybrid 3D bioprinting approach using porous microscaffolds and extrusion-based printing method is presented. Bioink constitutes of cell-laden poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) porous microspheres with thin encapsulation of agarose-collagen composite hydrogel (AC hydrogel). Highly porous microspheres enable cells to adhere and proliferate before printing. Meanwhile, AC hydrogel allows a smooth delivery of cell-laden microspheres (CLMs), with immediate gelation of construct upon printing on cold build platform. Collagen fibrils were formed in the AC hydrogel during culture at body temperature, improving the cell affinity and spreading compared to pure agarose hydrogel. Cells were proven to proliferate in the bioink and the bioprinted construct. High cell viability up to 14 days was observed. The compressive strength of the bioink is more than 100 times superior to those of pure AC hydrogel. A potential alternative in tissue engineering of tissue replacements and biological models is made possible by combining the advantages of the conventional solid scaffolds with the new 3D bioprinting technology.
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical &Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore.
authors.forename: Yu Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical &Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore.
authors.forename: Xipeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical &Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore.
authors.forename: Wai Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Yeong
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical &Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore.
authors.forename: Shu Beng
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Tor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D062028:Bioprinting / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001831:Body Temperature; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D019245:Compressive Strength; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate