A compartmental 3D scaffold fabrication and alignment device for neurovascular co-culture and tri-culture

Abstract

Tissue engineers seek for the practical and affordable fabrication methods to be able to create the best biomimicking scaffold. The aim of the study was to create an easy-to use device to fabricate precisely designed 3D hydrogel scaffolds for co-culturing, tri-culturing and multi-culturing practices. In this study, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) was synthesized and textured three-dimensional hydrogel scaffolds were fabricated via photopolymerization using compartmental fabrication device. This device allowed fabricating computer aided designed (CAD) geometries precisely and encapsulating different cells in different hydrogel posts while building a whole geometry. The hydrogel texture characterization was performed using colored hydrogel solutions and it is observed that the device keep the distinct posts in contact precisely. A neural tissue model was created using neural, epithelial and endothelial cells as a proof of concept. Cell distribution was evaluated using cell trackers. The viability and the proliferation assays were also performed and the viability was above 80% while a positive proliferation was been observing. Overall findings showed that this device offers a practical way to fabricate and align precisely designed three-dimensional hydrogel scaffolds which allows modelling various types of tissues and organs and it tis promising for further applications in many fields.