Bioprinting of Human Musculoskeletal Interface

Abstract

Human musculoskeletal interface (MI) refer to biofunctional and engineering similarities enabling smooth connections through muscular and skeletal attachments. MI is commonly involved in musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative diseases, while the key problem to achieve biological integration with the surrounding host tissues of MI is fabricating substitution with precisely structural and material distribution. Bioprinting has made it possible to achieve artificial tissues with spatial controlled heterogeneity of physical properties and bioactive composition similar to native MI tissues. In this review, emphasis is put on detailed introduction of structural and biofunctional properties of MI tissues, as well as recent MI bioprinting application of microextrusion and inkjet bioprinting approaches. Specially, by combining 3D printing and bioprinting approaches, hybrid bioprinting approaches of reinforced MI constructs are retrospected. Other issues of biomaterials, bioprinting methods and relevant regulations are discussed. Future challenges in engineering, material science and clinical transformation are also summarized. Taken together, bioprinting of MI tissues can be of great interest in future development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.