Abstract
Background and objectives: Regenerative medicine, with its massive development over the years, has the potential to solve some of the most problematic medical issues, such as functional organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to create a human meniscal shape 3D-printed enriched with human adipose-derived mesenchymal cells. Materials and Methods: Human infrapatellar fat pad was harvested, and mesenchymal cells were isolated. The mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated to the chondrocite lineage and a hydrogel (a nanofibrillar cellulose, sodium alginate, D-mannitol, and Hepes buffer solution combination) cell mixture was bioprinted to create three human-size meniscus structures. The obtained structures were evaluated regarding the cell viability, appropriate size in relation to a native meniscus, and some mechanical characteristics. Results: The human meniscal shape created respected the anatomic characteristic of a native structure. Cell viability of approximately 97% and extracellular matrix formation after the printing process were observed. The mean maximum force for the meniscus with mesenchymal cells was 6.5 N (+/−0.5 N) compared to the mean maximum force for the native meniscus of 10.32 N (+/−0.7 N), which is statistically relevant (p < 0.01). Conclusion: This paper presents the potential of bioprinting viable cell structures that could in the future present enough mechanical strength to replace a human organ, such as a meniscus. There are still limitations regarding the ink and the printing process, but we are confident that these problems will soon be solvable.
Highlights
Like others, that bioprinting inks loaded with cells can recreate a desired shape, maintain it, and provide a uniform distribution of cells in the construct [21]
The printed meniscus did not resist the same forces as a native one, we proved that the printing process does not affect the quality and quantity of the cells in the final structure
All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript
Summary
Menisci are important structures in the biomechanical activity of the knee joints. Due to trauma or through degenerative changes, the meniscus is torn and acts as a destructive force over the cartilage covering the articular surfaces of the knee [1]. Treatment mostly consists of meniscectomy of the torn portion, but in order to preserve the normal function of the joint, an intact meniscus is needed [2]. The idea of a meniscal transplant has long been proposed, but a mechanical and biological identical structure has not yet been created [3]
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