Volume 112, Issue 7 pp. 1093-1106
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Fabrication of vascularized tissue-engineered bone models using triaxial bioprinting

Junbiao Zhang

Junbiao Zhang

Orthodontic Section, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand

Guiyang Hospital of Stomatology, Guiyang, People's Republic of China

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Srisurang Suttapreyasri

Srisurang Suttapreyasri

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand

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Chidchanok Leethanakul

Chidchanok Leethanakul

Orthodontic Section, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand

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Bancha Samruajbenjakun

Corresponding Author

Bancha Samruajbenjakun

Orthodontic Section, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand

Correspondence

Bancha Samruajbenjakun, Orthodontic Section, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90112, Songkhla, Thailand.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 27 February 2024
Citations: 3

Abstract

Bone tissue is a highly vascularized tissue. When constructing tissue-engineered bone models, both the osteogenic and angiogenic capabilities of the construct should be carefully considered. However, fabricating a vascularized tissue-engineered bone to promote vascular formation and bone generation, while simultaneously establishing nutrition channels to facilitate nutrient exchange within the constructs, remains a significant challenge. Triaxial bioprinting, which not only allows the independent encapsulation of different cell types while simultaneously forming nutrient channels, could potentially emerge as a strategy for fabricating vascularized tissue-engineered bone. Moreover, bioinks should also be applied in combination to promote both osteogenesis and angiogenesis. In this study, employing triaxial bioprinting, we used a blend bioink of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), sodium alginate (Alg), and different concentrations of nano beta-tricalcium phosphate (nano β-TCP) encapsulated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts as the outer layer, a mixed bioink of GelMA and Alg loaded with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as the middle layer, and gelatin as a sacrificial material to form nutrient channels in the inner layer to fabricate vascularized bone constructs simulating the microenvironment for bone and vascular tissues. The results showed that the addition of nano β-TCP could adjust the mechanical, swelling, and degradation properties of the constructs. Biological assessments revealed the cell viability of constructs containing different concentrations of nano β-TCP was higher than 90% on day 7, The cell-laden constructs containing 3% (w/v) nano β-TCP exhibited better osteogenic (higher Alkaline phosphatase activity and larger Osteocalcin positive area) and angiogenic (the gradual increased CD31 positive area) potential. Therefore, using triaxial bioprinting technology and employing GelMA, Alg, and nano β-TCP as bioink components could fabricate vascularized bone tissue constructs, offering a novel strategy for vascularized bone tissue engineering.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are included within the article.

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