bims-biprem Biomed News
on Bioprinting for regenerative medicine
Issue of 2025–02–02
seven papers selected by
Seerat Maqsood, University of Teramo
  1. Advancements in robotic arm-based 3D bioprinting for biomedical applications.
  2. Recent trends in embedded 3D bioprinting of vascularized tissue constructs.
  3. 3D bioprinted poly(lactic acid) scaffolds infused with curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: a promising approach for skin regeneration.
  4. Protocol for the fabrication of self-standing (nano)cellulose-based 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering.
  5. Synergizing bioprinting and 3D cell culture to enhance tissue formation in printed synthetic constructs.
  6. Advances in biomaterials-based tissue engineering for regeneration of female reproductive tissues.
  7. Two- and Three-Dimensional In Vitro Models of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases: State-of-the-Art and Applications.
  1. Life Med. 2023 Dec;2(6): lnad046
    Advancements in robotic arm-based 3D bioprinting for biomedical applications.
    Kai Li, WenHui Huang, HaiTao Guo, YanYan Liu, Shuxian Chen, Heng Liu, Qi Gu.
      3D bioprinting emerges as a critical tool in biofabricating functional 3D tissue or organ equivalents for regenerative medicine. Bioprinting techniques have been making strides in integrating automation, customization, and digitalization in coping with diverse tissue engineering scenarios. The convergence of robotic arm-based 3D bioprinting techniques, especially in situ 3D bioprinting, is a versatile toolbox in the industrial field, promising for biomedical application and clinical research. In this review, we first introduce conceptualized modalities of robotic arm-based bioprinting from a mechanical perspective, which involves configurative categories of current robot arms regarding conventional bioprinting strategies. Recent advances in robotic arm-based bioprinting in tissue engineering have been summarized in distinct tissues and organs. Ultimately, we systematically discuss relative advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and future perspectives from bench to bedside for biomedical application.
    Keywords:  3D bioprinting; hydrogel; in situ bioprinting; robot arm-based bioprinting; tissue engineering
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/lifemedi/lnad046
  2. Biofabrication. 2025 Jan 29.
    Recent trends in embedded 3D bioprinting of vascularized tissue constructs.
    Won-Woo Cho, Wonbin Park, Dong-Woo Cho.
      3D bioprinting technology offers significant advantages in the fabrication of tissue and organ structures by allowing precise layer-by-layer patterning of cells and various biomaterials. However, conventional bioinks exhibit poor mechanical properties, which limit their use in the fabrication of large-scale vascularized tissue constructs. To address these limitations, recent studies have focused on the development of rapidly crosslinkable bioinks through chemical modification. These enable rapid crosslinking within minutes, offering substantial advantages for engineering large-scale tissue constructs. Nevertheless, challenges remain in the production of constructs that fully incorporate the complex vascular networks inherent to native tissues. Recently, embedded bioprinting technique, which involves the direct writing of bioink into a support bath that provides physical support, has gained significant attention for enabling the freeform fabrication of 3D structures. This method has been extensively studied and offers the advantage of fabricating structures ranging from tissue constructs with simple vascular channels to complex structures containing multiscale vascular networks. This review presents an overview of the various materials utilized in embedded bioprinting and elucidates the rheological properties of these materials. Furthermore, it examines the current research trends in the biofabrication of vascularized tissue constructs using embedded bioprinting techniques, along with their associated limitations. The review concludes by proposing areas for future improvement, specifically addressing material and biofabrication approaches as well as bioprinting systems.
    Keywords:  bioprinting; regenerative medicine; sacrificial bioink; support bath; tissue engineering
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/adafdd
  3. Biomater Sci. 2025 Jan 29.
    3D bioprinted poly(lactic acid) scaffolds infused with curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: a promising approach for skin regeneration.
    Renuka Vijayaraghavan, M Vidyavathi, R V Suresh Kumar, Sravanthi Loganathan, Ravi Babu Valapa.
      Nanotechnology and 3D bioprinted scaffolds are revolutionizing the field of wound healing and skin regeneration. By facilitating proper cellular movement and providing a customizable structure that replicates the extracellular matrix, such technologies not only expedite the healing process but also ensure the seamless integration of new skin layers, enhancing tissue repair and promoting overall cell growth. This study centres on the creation and assessment of a nanostructured lipid carrier containing curcumin (CNLC), which is integrated into a 3D bioprinted PLA scaffold system. The goal is to investigate its potential as a vehicle for delivering poorly soluble curcumin for enhanced wound healing. The developed CNLC exhibited an oval morphology and average particle size of 292 nm. The entrapment efficiency (EE) was 81.37 ± 0.85%, and the drug loading capacity was 6.59 ± 1.61%. CNLC was then integrated into PLA-based 3D bioprinted scaffolds, and physicochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate their properties. Cell viability studies carried out using fibroblast cells demonstrated that the PLA/CNLC scaffolds are non-cytotoxic. In vivo experiments showed that the PLA/CNLC scaffolds exhibited complete wound contraction and closure of full-thickness wounds within a period of 21 days. The findings confirmed the scaffold's capacity as a tool for accelerating wound healing. The research emphasises the need for using biomimetic 3D printed scaffold materials and the promise of nanobiotechnology in enhancing treatment efficacy.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d4bm01550a
  4. STAR Protoc. 2025 Jan 23. pii: S2666-1667(24)00748-2. [Epub ahead of print]6(1): 103583
    Protocol for the fabrication of self-standing (nano)cellulose-based 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering.
    Tamilselvan Mohan, Matej Bračič, Doris Bračič, Florian Lackner, Chandran Nagaraj, Andreja Dobaj Štiglic, Rupert Kargl, Karin Stana Kleinschek.
      Three-dimensional (3D) and porous scaffolds made from nanocellulosic materials hold significant potential in tissue engineering (TE). Here, we present a protocol for fabricating self-standing (nano)cellulose-based 3D scaffolds designed for in vitro testing of cells from skin and cartilage tissues. We describe steps for preparation of nanocellulose ink, scaffold formation using 3D printing, and freeze-drying. We then detail post-processing procedures to enhance mechanical properties, stability, and biocompatibility. This protocol offers researchers a framework for developing versatile and sustainable biomaterials for regenerative medicine. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Mohan et al.1 and Štiglic et al.2.
    Keywords:  Biotechnology and bioengineering; Chemistry; Material sciences; Tissue Engineering
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103583
  5. Biofabrication. 2025 Jan 24.
    Synergizing bioprinting and 3D cell culture to enhance tissue formation in printed synthetic constructs.
    Daniel Günther, Cédric Bergerbit, Ary Marsee, Sitara Vedaraman, Alba Pueyo-Moliner, Céline Bastard, Guy Eelen, Jose Luis Gerardo Nava, Mieke Dewerchin, Peter Carmeliet, Rafael Kramann, Kerstin Schneeberger, Bart Spee, Laura De Laporte.
      Bioprinting is currently the most promising method to biofabricate complex tissues in vitro with the potential to transform the future of organ transplantation and drug discovery. Efforts to create such tissues are, however, almost exclusively based on animal-derived materials, like gelatin methacryloyl, which have demonstrated efficacy in bioprinting of complex tissues. While these materials are already used in clinical applications, uncertainty about their safety still remains due to their animal origin. Alternatively, synthetic bioinks are developed that match the printability of natural bioinks but lack their biological complexity, and thereby often fail to support cell growth and facilitate tissue formation. Additionally, most synthetic materials do not meet the mechanical demands to bioprint stable constructs while providing a suitable environment for cells to grow, limiting the number of available bioinks. To bridge this gap and synergize bioprinting and 3D cell culture, we developed a PEG-based bioink system to promote the growth and spreading of cell spheroids that consist of human primary endothelial cells and fibroblasts. The 3D bioprinted centimeter-scale constructs have a high shape fidelity and accelerated softening to provide sufficient space for cells to grow. Adjusting the rate of degradability, induced by the integration of ester-functionalized crosslinkers in addition to protease cleavable crosslinkers into the hydrogel network, improves the growth of spheroids in larger printed hydrogel constructs containing an interconnected channel structure. The perfusable constructs enable extensive spheroid sprouting and the formation of a cellular network upon fusion of sprouts as initial steps towards tissue formation with the potential for clinical translation.
    Keywords:  Bioprinting; Hydrogels; Polyethylene glycol; Spheroids; Vascularization
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/adae37
  6. Biofabrication. 2025 Jan 24.
    Advances in biomaterials-based tissue engineering for regeneration of female reproductive tissues.
    Yong Ho Kim, Hyung-Sik Kim, In-Sun Hong.
      The anatomical components of the female reproductive system-comprising the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and fallopian tubes-interact intricately to provide the structural and hormonal support essential for reproduction. However, this system is susceptible to various detrimental factors, both congenital and acquired, that can impair fertility and adversely affect quality of life. Recent advances in bioengineering have led to the development of sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) models that mimic the complex architecture and functionality of reproductive organs. These models, incorporating diverse cell types and tissue layers, are crucial for understanding physiological processes within the reproductive tract. They offer insights into decidualization, ovulation, folliculogenesis, and the progression of reproductive cancers, thereby enhancing personalized medical treatments and addressing female infertility. This review highlights the pivotal role of tissue engineering in diagnosing and treating female infertility, emphasizing the importance of considering factors like biocompatibility, biomaterial selection, and mechanical properties in the design of bioengineered systems. The challenge of replicating the functionally specialized and structurally complex organs, such as the uterus and ovary, underscores the need for reliable techniques that improve morphological and functional restoration. Despite substantial progress, the goal of creating a fully artificial female reproductive system is still a challenge. Nonetheless, the recent fabrication of artificial ovaries, uteruses, cervixes, and vaginas marks significant advancements toward this aim. Looking forward, the challenges in bioengineering are expected to spur further innovations in both basic and applied sciences, potentially hastening the clinical adoption of these technologies.
    Keywords:  3D bioprinting; Biomaterials; Female fertility; Hydrogel scafffold
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/adae38
  7. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 13. pii: 620. [Epub ahead of print]26(2):
    Two- and Three-Dimensional In Vitro Models of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases: State-of-the-Art and Applications.
    Cristina Solana-Manrique, Ana María Sánchez-Pérez, Nuria Paricio, Silvia Muñoz-Descalzo.
      In vitro models play a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease (PD and AD). Traditionally, 2D cell cultures have been instrumental in elucidating the cellular mechanisms underlying these diseases. Cultured cells derived from patients or animal models provide valuable insights into the pathological processes at the cellular level. However, they often lack the native tissue environment complexity, limiting their ability to fully recapitulate their features. In contrast, 3D models offer a more physiologically relevant platform by mimicking the 3D brain tissue architecture. These models can incorporate multiple cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, creating a microenvironment that closely resembles the brain's complexity. Bioengineering approaches allow researchers to better replicate cell-cell interactions, neuronal connectivity, and disease-related phenotypes. Both 2D and 3D models have their advantages and limitations. While 2D cultures provide simplicity and scalability for high-throughput screening and basic processes, 3D models offer enhanced physiological relevance and better replicate disease phenotypes. Integrating findings from both model systems can provide a better understanding of NDs, ultimately aiding in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we review existing 2D and 3D in vitro models for the study of PD and AD.
    Keywords:  Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; engineering-based 3D models; iPSCs; immortalised cell lines; in vitro models; organoids
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020620
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