3D-Bioprinting of Ovine Aortic Valve Endothelial and Interstitial Cells for Development of Multicellular Tissue Engineered Scaffolds

Abstract

Background: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a frequent cardiac pathology but still not fully understood. Novel three-dimensional (3D) models containing both valvular interstitial cells (VIC) and valvular endothelial cells (VEC) are urgently needed to investigate the complex cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of CAVD. 3D-bioprinting can offer new possibilities by designing 3D scaffolds and combining conventional cell culture methods with tissue engineering principles.