Bioprinting microvessels using an inkjet printer

Abstract

Bioprinting enables the construction of complex 3D tissues from biomolecules and extracellular matrix materials. The printing of cells with matrix materials is more challenging due to the constraints imposed by the printing process. Here we demonstrate bioprinting of free-standing microvessels with endothelial cells embedded in a fibrin matrix using a single piezoelectric nozzle. Fibrin tubes are produced using an alginate templating method where alginate/fibrinogen droplets containing cells are printed into a cross-linker bath in a circular pattern. Following triggered dissolution of the alginate, the endothelial cells migrate to the scaffold periphery, spread, and form a confluent monolayer on the fibrin matrix within 14 days.