3D printed gelatin/decellularized bone composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: Fabrication, characterization and cytocompatibility study

Understanding the multi-functionality and tissue-specificity of decellularized dental pulp matrix hydrogels for endodontic regeneration

Dental pulp is the only soft tissue in the tooth which plays a crucial role in maintaining intrinsic multi-functional behaviors of the dentin-pulp complex. Nevertheless, the restoration of fully functional pulps after pulpitis or pulp necrosis, termed endodontic regeneration, remained a major challenge for decades. Therefore, a bioactive and in-situ injectable biomaterial is highly desired for tissue-engineered pulp regeneration. Herein, a decellularized matrix hydrogel derived from porcine dental pulps (pDDPM-G) was prepared and characterized through systematic comparison against the porcine decellularized nerve matrix hydrogel (pDNM-G). The pDDPM-G not only exhibited superior capabilities in facilitating multi-directional differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) during 3D culture, but also promoted regeneration of pulp-like tissues after DPSCs encapsulation and transplantation. Further comparative proteomic and transcriptome analyses revealed the differential compositions and potential mechanisms that endow the pDDPM-G with highly tissue-specific properties. Finally, it was realized that the abundant tenascin C (TNC) in pDDPM served as key factor responsible for the activation of Notch signaling cascades and promoted DPSCs odontoblastic differentiation. Overall, it is believed that pDDPM-G is a sort of multi-functional and tissue-specific hydrogel-based material that holds great promise in endodontic regeneration and clinical translation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Functional hydrogel-based biomaterials are highly desirable for endodontic regeneration treatments. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) preserves most extracellular matrix components of its native tissue, exhibiting unique advantages in promoting tissue regeneration and functional restoration. In this study, we prepared a porcine dental pulp-derived dECM hydrogel (pDDPM-G), which exhibited superior performance in promoting odontogenesis, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis of the regenerating pulp-like tissue, further showed its tissue-specificity compared to the peripheral nerve-derived dECM hydrogel. In-depth proteomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that the activation of tenascin C-Notch axis played an important role in facilitating odontogenic regeneration. This biomaterial-based study validated the great potential of the dental pulp-specific pDDPM-G for clinical applications, and provides a springboard for research strategies in ECM-related regenerative medicine.

Recent Developments in Bio-Ink Formulations Using Marine-Derived Biomaterials for Three-Dimensional (3D) Bioprinting

3D bioprinting is a disruptive, computer-aided, and additive manufacturing technology that allows the obtention, layer-by-layer, of 3D complex structures. This technology is believed to offer tremendous opportunities in several fields including biomedical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Several bioprinting processes and bio-ink materials have emerged recently. However, there is still a pressing need to develop low-cost sustainable bio-ink materials with superior qualities (excellent mechanical, viscoelastic and thermal properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability). Marine-derived biomaterials, including polysaccharides and proteins, represent a viable and renewable source for bio-ink formulations. Therefore, the focus of this review centers around the use of marine-derived biomaterials in the formulations of bio-ink. It starts with a general overview of 3D bioprinting processes followed by a description of the most commonly used marine-derived biomaterials for 3D bioprinting, with a special attention paid to chitosan, glycosaminoglycans, alginate, carrageenan, collagen, and gelatin. The challenges facing the application of marine-derived biomaterials in 3D bioprinting within the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields along with future directions are also discussed.

3D bioprinting of mouse pre-osteoblasts and human MSCs using bioinks consisting of gelatin and decellularized bone particles

One of the key challenges in biofabrication applications is to obtain bioinks that provide a balance between printability, shape fidelity, cell viability, and tissue maturation. Decellularization methods allow the extraction of natural extracellular matrix, preserving tissue-specific matrix proteins. However, the critical challenge in bone decellularization is to preserve both organic (collagen, proteoglycans) and inorganic components (hydroxyapatite) to maintain the natural composition and functionality of bone. Besides, there is a need to investigate the effects of decellularized bone (DB) particles as a tissue-based additive in bioink formulation to develop functional bioinks. Here we evaluated the effect of incorporating DB particles of different sizes (≤45 and ≤100μm) and concentrations (1%, 5%, 10% (wt %)) into bioink formulations containing gelatin (GEL) and pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) or human mesenchymal stem cells (hTERT-MSCs). In addition, we propose a minimalistic bioink formulation using GEL, DB particles and cells with an easy preparation process resulting in a high cell viability. The printability properties of the inks were evaluated. Additionally, rheological properties were determined with shear thinning and thixotropy tests. The bioprinted constructs were cultured for 28 days. The viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation capacity of cells were evaluated using biochemical assays and fluorescence microscopy. The incorporation of DB particles enhanced cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capacity which might be due to the natural collagen and hydroxyapatite content of DB particles. Alkaline phosphatase activity is increased significantly by using DB particles, notably, without an osteogenic induction of the cells. Moreover, fluorescence images display pronounced cell-material interaction and cell attachment inside the constructs. With these promising results, the present minimalistic bioink formulation is envisioned as a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering as a clinically translatable material with straightforward preparation and high cell activity.

Design and development of a hepatic lyo-dECM powder as a biomimetic component for 3D-printable hybrid hydrogels

Bioprinting offers new opportunities to obtain reliable 3Din vitromodels of the liver for testing new drugs and studying pathophysiological mechanisms, thanks to its main feature in controlling the spatial deposition of cell-laden hydrogels. In this context, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-based hydrogels have caught more and more attention over the last years because of their characteristic to closely mimic the tissue-specific microenvironment from a biological point of view. In this work, we describe a new concept of designing dECM-based hydrogels; in particular, we set up an alternative and more practical protocol to develop a hepatic lyophilized dECM (lyo-dECM) powder as an 'off-the-shelf' and free soluble product to be incorporated as a biomimetic component in the design of 3D-printable hybrid hydrogels. To this aim, the powder was first characterized in terms of cytocompatibility on human and porcine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and the optimal powder concentration (i.e. 3.75 mg ml-1) to use in the hydrogel formulation was identified. Moreover, its non-immunogenicity and capacity to reactivate the elastase enzyme potency was proved. Afterward, as a proof-of-concept, the powder was added to a sodium alginate/gelatin blend, and the so-defined multi-component hydrogel was studied from a rheological point of view, demonstrating that adding the lyo-dECM powder at the selected concentration did not alter the viscoelastic properties of the original material. Then, a printing assessment was performed with the support of computational simulations, which were useful to definea priorithe hydrogel printing parameters as window of printability and its post-printing mechanical collapse. Finally, the proposed multi-component hydrogel was bioprinted with cells inside, and its post-printing cell viability for up to 7 d was successfully demonstrated.

Decellularized extracellular matrix-based composite scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Despite the considerable advancements in fabricating polymeric-based scaffolds for tissue engineering, the clinical transformation of these scaffolds remained a big challenge because of the difficulty of simulating native organs/tissues' microenvironment. As a kind of natural tissue-derived biomaterials, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-based scaffolds have gained attention due to their unique biomimetic properties, providing a specific microenvironment suitable for promoting cell proliferation, migration, attachment and regulating differentiation. The medical applications of dECM-based scaffolds have addressed critical challenges, including poor mechanical strength and insufficient stability. For promoting the reconstruction of damaged tissues or organs, different types of dECM-based composite platforms have been designed to mimic tissue microenvironment, including by integrating with natural polymer or/and syntenic polymer or adding bioactive factors. In this review, we summarized the research progress of dECM-based composite scaffolds in regenerative medicine, highlighting the critical challenges and future perspectives related to the medical application of these composite materials.

Cell-Laden 3D Printed GelMA/HAp and THA Hydrogel Bioinks: Development of Osteochondral Tissue-like Bioinks

Osteochondral (OC) disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA) damage joint cartilage and subchondral bone tissue. To understand the disease, facilitate drug screening, and advance therapeutic development, in vitro models of OC tissue are essential. This study aims to create a bioprinted OC miniature construct that replicates the cartilage and bone compartments. For this purpose, two hydrogels were selected: one composed of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) blended with nanosized hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and the other consisting of tyramine-modified hyaluronic acid (THA) to mimic bone and cartilage tissue, respectively. We characterized these hydrogels using rheological testing and assessed their cytotoxicity with live-dead assays. Subsequently, human osteoblasts (hOBs) were encapsulated in GelMA-nHAp, while micropellet chondrocytes were incorporated into THA hydrogels for bioprinting the osteochondral construct. After one week of culture, successful OC tissue generation was confirmed through RT-PCR and histology. Notably, GelMA/nHAp hydrogels exhibited a significantly higher storage modulus (G') compared to GelMA alone. Rheological temperature sweeps and printing tests determined an optimal printing temperature of 20 °C, which remained unaffected by the addition of nHAp. Cell encapsulation did not alter the storage modulus, as demonstrated by amplitude sweep tests, in either GelMA/nHAp or THA hydrogels. Cell viability assays using Ca-AM and EthD-1 staining revealed high cell viability in both GelMA/nHAp and THA hydrogels. Furthermore, RT-PCR and histological analysis confirmed the maintenance of osteogenic and chondrogenic properties in GelMA/nHAp and THA hydrogels, respectively. In conclusion, we have developed GelMA-nHAp and THA hydrogels to simulate bone and cartilage components, optimized 3D printing parameters, and ensured cell viability for bioprinting OC constructs.

Decellularization of Dense Regular Connective Tissue-Cellular and Molecular Modification with Applications in Regenerative Medicine

Healing of dense regular connective tissue, due to a high fiber-to-cell ratio and low metabolic activity and regeneration potential, frequently requires surgical implantation or reconstruction with high risk of reinjury. An alternative to synthetic implants is using bioscaffolds obtained through decellularization, a process where the aim is to extract cells from the tissue while preserving the tissue-specific native molecular structure of the ECM. Proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other various extracellular molecules are largely involved in differentiation, proliferation, vascularization and collagen fibers deposit, making them the crucial processes in tissue regeneration. Because of the multiple possible forms of cell extraction, there is no standardized protocol in dense regular connective tissue (DRCT). Many modifications of the structure, shape and composition of the bioscaffold have also been described to improve the therapeutic result following the implantation of decellularized connective tissue. The available data provide a valuable source of crucial information. However, the wide spectrum of decellularization makes it important to understand the key aspects of bioscaffolds relative to their potential use in tissue regeneration.

Korean Amberjack Skin-Inspired Hyaluronic Acid Bioink for Reconstruction of Human Skin

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been extensively employed as tissue engineering scaffolds because its components can greatly enhance the migration and proliferation of cultivating cells. In this study, we decellularized Korean amberjack skin and incorporated soluble fractions in hyaluronic acid hydrogels with 3D-printed tissue engineering hydrogels to overcome any limitation of animal-derived dECM. The hydrolyzed fish-dECM was mixed with methacrylated hyaluronic acid and chemically crosslinked to 3D-printed fish-dECM hydrogels, where fish-dECM contents affected both printability and injectability of the hydrogels. Swelling ratios and mass erosion of the 3D-printed hydrogels were dependent on fish-dECM contents, where higher fish-dECM in the hydrogel increased swelling ratios and mass erosion rates. The higher content of fish-dECM considerably enhanced the viability of the incorporated cells in the matrix for 7 days. Artificial human skin was constructed by seeding human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes in the 3D-printed hydrogels, and a formation of a bilayered skin was visualized with tissue staining. Thus, we envision that 3D-printed hydrogels containing fish-dECM can be an alternative bioink composed of a non-mammal-derived matrix.

Recent Advancements in Electrospun Chitin and Chitosan Nanofibers for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Treatment of large segmental bone loss caused by fractures, osteomyelitis, and non-union results in expenses of around USD 300,000 per case. Moreover, the worst-case scenario results in amputation in 10% to 14.5% of cases. Biomaterials, cells, and regulatory elements are employed in bone tissue engineering (BTE) to create biosynthetic bone grafts with effective functionalization that can aid in the restoration of such fractured bones, preventing amputation and alleviating expenses. Chitin (CT) and chitosan (CS) are two of the most prevalent natural biopolymers utilized in the fields of biomaterials and BTE. To offer the structural and biochemical cues for augmenting bone formation, CT and CS can be employed alone or in combination with other biomaterials in the form of nanofibers (NFs). When compared with several fabrication methods available to produce scaffolds, electrospinning is regarded as superior since it enables the development of nanostructured scaffolds utilizing biopolymers. Electrospun nanofibers (ENFs) offer unique characteristics, including morphological resemblance to the extracellular matrix, high surface-area-to-volume ratio, permeability, porosity, and stability. This review elaborates on the recent strategies employed utilizing CT and CS ENFs and their biocomposites in BTE. We also summarize their implementation in supporting and delivering an osteogenic response to treat critical bone defects and their perspectives on rejuvenation. The CT- and CS-based ENF composite biomaterials show promise as potential constructions for bone tissue creation.

Gelatin as It Is: History and Modernity

The data concerning the synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of one of the practically important proteins-gelatin, as well as the possibilities of its practical application, are systematized and discussed. When considering the latter, emphasis is placed on the use of gelatin in those areas of science and technology that are associated with the specifics of the spatial/molecular structure of this high-molecular compound, namely, as a binder for the silver halide photographic process, immobilized matrix systems with a nano-level organization of an immobilized substance, matrices for creating pharmaceutical/dosage forms and protein-based nanosystems. It was concluded that the use of this protein is promising in the future.

The application of 3D bioprinting in urological diseases

Urologic diseases are commonly diagnosed health problems affecting people around the world. More than 26 million people suffer from urologic diseases and the annual expenditure was more than 11 billion US dollars. The urologic cancers, like bladder cancer, prostate cancer and kidney cancer are always the leading causes of death worldwide, which account for approximately 22% and 10% of the new cancer cases and death, respectively. Organ transplantation is one of the major clinical treatments for urological diseases like end-stage renal disease and urethral stricture, albeit strongly limited by the availability of matching donor organs. Tissue engineering has been recognized as a highly promising strategy to solve the problems of organ donor shortage by the fabrication of artificial organs/tissue. This includes the prospective technology of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, which has been adapted to various cell types and biomaterials to replicate the heterogeneity of urological organs for the investigation of organ transplantation and disease progression. This review discusses various types of 3D bioprinting methodologies and commonly used biomaterials for urological diseases. The literature shows that advances in this field toward the development of functional urological organs or disease models have progressively increased. Although numerous challenges still need to be tackled, like the technical difficulties of replicating the heterogeneity of urologic organs and the limited biomaterial choices to recapitulate the complicated extracellular matrix components, it has been proved by numerous studies that 3D bioprinting has the potential to fabricate functional urological organs for clinical transplantation and in vitro disease models.

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Outline the advantages and characteristics of 3D printing compared with traditional methods for urological diseases.

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Guide the selection of 3D bioprinting technology and material in urological tissue engineering.

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Discuss the challenges and future perspectives of 3D bioprinting in urological diseases and clinical translation.

Cell-Laden Composite Hydrogel Bioinks with Human Bone Allograft Particles to Enhance Stem Cell Osteogenesis

There is a growing demand for bone graft substitutes that mimic the extracellular matrix properties of the native bone tissue to enhance stem cell osteogenesis. Composite hydrogels containing human bone allograft particles are particularly interesting due to inherent bioactivity of the allograft tissue. Here, we report a novel photocurable composite hydrogel bioink for bone tissue engineering. Our composite bioink is formulated by incorporating human allograft bone particles in a methacrylated alginate formulation to enhance adult human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) osteogenesis. Detailed rheology and printability studies confirm suitability of our composite bioinks for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting technology. In vitro studies reveal high cell viability (~90%) for hMSCs up to 28 days of culture within 3D bioprinted composite scaffolds. When cultured within bioprinted composite scaffolds, hMSCs show significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation as compared to neat scaffolds based on alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and osteocalcin expression.