Bioprinting Technology in Skin, Heart, Pancreas and Cartilage Tissues: Progress and Challenges in Clinical Practice

3D printing nacre powder/sodium alginate scaffold loaded with PRF promotes bone tissue repair and regeneration

Bone defects are a common complication of bone diseases, which often affect the quality of life and mental health of patients. The use of biomimetic bone scaffolds loaded with bioactive substances has become a focal point in the research on bone defect repair. In this study, composite scaffolds resembling bone tissue were created using nacre powder (NP) and sodium alginate (SA) through 3D printing. These scaffolds exhibit several physiological structural and mechanical characteristics of bone tissue, such as suitable porosity, an appropriate pore size, applicable degradation performance and satisfying the mechanical requirements of cancellous bone, etc. Then, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), containing a mass of growth factors, was loaded on the NP/SA scaffolds. This was aimed to fully maximize the synergistic effect with NP, thereby accelerating bone tissue regeneration. Overall, this study marks the first instance of preparing a bionic bone structure scaffold containing NP by 3D printing technology, which is combined with PRF to further accelerate bone regeneration. These findings offer a new treatment strategy for bone tissue regeneration in clinical applications.

Evaluation of Fused Deposition Modeling Materials for 3D-Printed Container of Dosimetric Polymer Gel

Accurate dosimetric verification is becoming increasingly important in radiotherapy. Although polymer gel dosimetry may be useful for verifying complex 3D dose distributions, it has limitations for clinical application due to its strong reactivity with oxygen and other contaminants. Therefore, it is important that the material of the gel storage container blocks reaction with external contaminants. In this study, we tested the effect of air and the chemical permeability of various polymer-based 3D printing materials that can be used as gel containers. A methacrylic acid, gelatin, and tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride gel was used. Five types of printing materials that can be applied to the fused deposition modeling (FDM)-type 3D printer were compared: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), co-polyester (CPE), polycarbonate (PC), polylactic acid (PLA), and polypropylene (PP) (reference: glass vial). The map of R2 (1/T2) relaxation rates for each material, obtained from magnetic resonance imaging scans, was analyzed. Additionally, response histograms and dose calibration curves from the R2 map were evaluated. The R2 distribution showed that CPE had sharper boundaries than the other materials, and the profile gradient of CPE was also closest to the reference vial. Histograms and dose calibration showed that CPE provided the most homogeneous and the highest relative response of 83.5%, with 8.6% root mean square error, compared with the reference vial. These results indicate that CPE is a reasonable material for the FDM-type 3D printing gel container.

Empowering Precision Medicine: The Impact of 3D Printing on Personalized Therapeutic

This review explores recent advancements and applications of 3D printing in healthcare, with a focus on personalized medicine, tissue engineering, and medical device production. It also assesses economic, environmental, and ethical considerations. In our review of the literature, we employed a comprehensive search strategy, utilizing well-known databases like PubMed and Google Scholar. Our chosen keywords encompassed essential topics, including 3D printing, personalized medicine, nanotechnology, and related areas. We first screened article titles and abstracts and then conducted a detailed examination of selected articles without imposing any date limitations. The articles selected for inclusion, comprising research studies, clinical investigations, and expert opinions, underwent a meticulous quality assessment. This methodology ensured the incorporation of high-quality sources, contributing to a robust exploration of the role of 3D printing in the realm of healthcare. The review highlights 3D printing's potential in healthcare, including customized drug delivery systems, patient-specific implants, prosthetics, and biofabrication of organs. These innovations have significantly improved patient outcomes. Integration of nanotechnology has enhanced drug delivery precision and biocompatibility. 3D printing also demonstrates cost-effectiveness and sustainability through optimized material usage and recycling. The healthcare sector has witnessed remarkable progress through 3D printing, promoting a patient-centric approach. From personalized implants to radiation shielding and drug delivery systems, 3D printing offers tailored solutions. Its transformative applications, coupled with economic viability and sustainability, have the potential to revolutionize healthcare. Addressing material biocompatibility, standardization, and ethical concerns is essential for responsible adoption.

Bioprinted 3D Bionic Scaffolds with Pancreatic Islets as a New Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes-Analysis of the Results of Preclinical Studies on a Mouse Model

Recently, tissue engineering, including 3D bioprinting of the pancreas, has acquired clinical significance and has become an outstanding potential method of customized treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The study aimed to evaluate the function of 3D-bioprinted pancreatic petals with pancreatic islets in the murine model. A total of 60 NOD-SCID (Nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency) mice were used in the study and divided into three groups: control group; IsletTx (porcine islets transplanted under the renal capsule); and 3D bioprint (3D-bioprinted pancreatic petals with islets transplanted under the skin, on dorsal muscles). Glucose, C-peptide concentrations, and histological analyses were performed. In the obtained results, significantly lower mean fasting glucose levels (mg/dL) were observed both in a 3D-bioprint group and in a group with islets transplanted under the renal capsule when compared with untreated animals. Differences were observed in all control points: 7th, 14th, and 28th days post-transplantation (129, 119, 118 vs. 140, 139, 140; p < 0.001). Glucose levels were lower on the 14th and 28th days in a group with bioprinted petals compared to the group with islets transplanted under the renal capsule. Immunohistochemical staining indicated the presence of secreted insulin-living pancreatic islets and neovascularization within 3D-bioprinted pancreatic petals after transplantation. In conclusion, bioprinted bionic petals significantly lowered plasma glucose concentration in studied model species.

Cell Encapsulation and 3D Bioprinting for Therapeutic Cell Transplantation

The promise of cell therapy has been augmented by introducing biomaterials, where intricate scaffold shapes are fabricated to accommodate the cells within. In this review, we first discuss cell encapsulation and the promising potential of biomaterials to overcome challenges associated with cell therapy, particularly cellular function and longevity. More specifically, cell therapies in the context of autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer are reviewed from the perspectives of preclinical findings as well as available clinical data. Next, techniques to fabricate cell-biomaterials constructs, focusing on emerging 3D bioprinting technologies, will be reviewed. 3D bioprinting is an advancing field that enables fabricating complex, interconnected, and consistent cell-based constructs capable of scaling up highly reproducible cell-biomaterials platforms with high precision. It is expected that 3D bioprinting devices will expand and become more precise, scalable, and appropriate for clinical manufacturing. Rather than one printer fits all, seeing more application-specific printer types, such as a bioprinter for bone tissue fabrication, which would be different from a bioprinter for skin tissue fabrication, is anticipated in the future.

Effects of Berberine against Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is a glandular organ with endocrine and exocrine functions necessary for the maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis and secretion of digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas leading to temporary or permanent pancreatic dysfunction. Inflammation and fibrosis caused by chronic pancreatitis exacerbate malignant transformation and significantly increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, the world's most aggressive cancer with a 5-year survival rate less than 10%. Berberine (BBR) is a naturally occurring plant-derived polyphenol present in a variety of herbal remedies used in traditional medicine to treat ulcers, infections, jaundice, and inflammation. The current review summarizes the existing in vitro and in vivo evidence on the effects of BBR against pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer with a focus on the signalling mechanisms underlying the effects of BBR.

Boron nitride nanotubes reinforced gelatin hydrogel-based ink for bioprinting and tissue engineering applications

The rapid evolution of 3D bioprinting technique, very few biomaterials have been studied and utilised as ink solutions to produce structures. In this work, a polymeric nanocomposite hydrogel-based ink solution was developed using boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) reinforced gelatin for 3D bioprinting of scaffolds. The ink solutions and printed scaffolds were characterised for their printability, mechanical, thermal, water uptake, and biological properties (cell viability and inflammation). The viscoelastic behaviour of the scaffolds indicated the increase in storage modulus with an increase in BNNTs composition. Additionally, the compressive strength of the scaffolds increased from 9.43 ± 1.3 kPa to 30.09 ± 1.5 kPa with the addition of BNNTs. Similarly, the thermal stability of the scaffolds enhanced with an increase in BNNTs composition. Furthermore, the scaffolds with a higher concentration of BNNTs displayed resilience in cell culture media at 37 °C for up to 14 days compared with pure gelatin scaffolds. The cell viability results showed a decreased viability rate with an increased concentration of BNNTs scaffolds. However, BNNTs incubated with cells did not display cytokine inflammation. Therefore, this work provides a potential hydrogel-based ink solution for 3D bioprinting of biomimetic tissue constructs with adequate structural stability for a wide range of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

A focused review on three-dimensional bioprinting technology for artificial organ fabrication

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has attracted a great deal of interest because it can be easily adapted to many industries and research sectors, such as biomedical, manufacturing, education, and engineering. Specifically, 3D bioprinting has provided significant advances in the medical industry, since such technology has led to significant breakthroughs in the synthesis of biomaterials, cells, and accompanying elements to produce composite living tissues. 3D bioprinting technology could lead to the immense capability of replacing damaged or injured tissues or organs with newly dispensed cell biomaterials and functional tissues. Several types of bioprinting technology and different bio-inks can be used to replicate cells and generate supporting units as complex 3D living tissues. Bioprinting techniques have undergone great advancements in the field of regenerative medicine to provide 3D printed models for numerous artificial organs and transplantable tissues. This review paper aims to provide an overview of 3D-bioprinting technologies by elucidating the current advancements, recent progress, opportunities, and applications in this field. It highlights the most recent advancements in 3D-bioprinting technology, particularly in the area of artificial organ development and cancer research. Additionally, the paper speculates on the future progress in 3D-bioprinting as a versatile foundation for several biomedical applications.

Skin regeneration, repair, and reconstruction: present and future

Background

Large skin defects caused by trauma (e.g., burns) or due to other reasons (e.g., tumor-related skin resections) require sufficient skin replacement. The constant improvement of innovative methods of skin replacement and skin expansion mean that even burn victims with more than 80% body surface burned have a realistic chance of survival. Due to these new developments, not only has survival rate increased, but also quality of life has increased tremendously over the past decades.

Methods

The aim of this review is to present an overview of current standards and future trends concerning the treatment of skin defects. The main focus is placed on the most important technologies and future trends.

Results

Autologous skin grafting was developed more than 3500 years ago. Several approaches and techniques have been discovered and established in burn care and plastic surgery since then. Great achievements were made during the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of these old and new techniques are still part of modern burn and plastic surgery. Today, autologous skin grafting is still considered to be the gold standard for many wounds, but new technologies have been developed, ranging from biological to synthetic skin replacement materials.

Conclusion

Today, old and new technologies are available which allow us new treatment concepts. All this has led to the reconstructive clockwork for reconstructive surgery of the 21st century.