Additive-lathe 3D bioprinting of bilayered nerve conduits incorporated with supportive cells

• Published in: Bioactive materials Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 219 - 229
• Main Authors: Liu, Jingyi, Zhang, Bin, Li, Liang, Yin, Jun, Fu, Jianzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2021; KeAi Publishing; KeAi Communications Co., Ltd
• Subjects: Additive-lathe 3D bioprinting; Gelatin methacrylate; Mesenchymal stem cells; Nerve conduit; Neuron outgrowth; Neuron outgrowth; Nerve conduit; Additive-lathe 3D bioprinting; Gelatin methacrylate; Mesenchymal stem cells
• ISSN: 2452-199X; 2452-199X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.08.010

Nerve conduits have been identified as one of the most promising treatments for peripheral nerve injuries, yet it remains unsolved how to develop ideal nerve conduits with both appropriate biological and mechanical properties. Existing nerve conduits must make trade-offs between mechanical strength and biocompatibility. Here, we propose a multi-nozzle additive-lathe 3D bioprinting technology to fabricate a bilayered nerve conduit. The materials for printing consisted of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)-based inner layer, which was cellularized with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and GelMA/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based outer layer. The high viability and extensive morphological spreading of BMSCs encapsulated in the inner layer was achieved by adjusting the degree of methacryloyl substitution and the concentration of GelMA. Strong mechanical performance of the outer layer was obtained by the addition of PEGDA. The performance of the bilayered nerve conduits was assessed using in vitro culture of PC12 cells. The cell density of PC12 cells attached to cellularized bilayered nerve conduits was more than 4 times of that on acellular bilayered nerve conduits. The proliferation rate of PC12 cells attached to cellularized bilayered nerve conduits was over 9 times higher than that on acellular bilayered nerve conduits. These results demonstrate the additive-lathe 3D bioprinting of BMSCs embedded bilayered nerve conduits holds great potential in facilitating peripheral nerve repair. [Display omitted] •A multi-nozzle additive-lathe 3D bioprinting technology is developed to fabricate a bilayered nerve conduit.•The outer layer of nerve conduit provide a strong mechanical property and the inner layer has a good biocompatibility.•Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are incorporated in the inner layer of nerve conduit using bioprinting.•In vitro culture of PC12 cells demonstrates the neuron outgrowth is significantly improved in BMSCs embedded nerve conduits.