Abstract
Solid organ fabrication is an ultimate goal of Regenerative Medicine. Since the introduction of Tissue Engineering in 1993, functional biomaterials, stem cells, tunable microenvironments, and high-resolution imaging technologies have significantly advanced efforts to regenerate in vitro culture or tissue platforms. Relatively simple flat or tubular organs are already in (pre)clinical trials and a few commercial products are in market. The road to more complex, high demand, solid organs including heart, kidney and lung will require substantive technical advancement. Here, we consider two emerging technologies for solid organ fabrication. One is decellularization of cadaveric organs followed by repopulation with terminally differentiated or progenitor cells. The other is 3D bioprinting to deposit cell-laden bio-inks to attain complex tissue architecture. We reviewed the development and evolution of the two technologies and evaluated relative strengths needed to produce solid organs, with special emphasis on the heart and other tissues of the cardiovascular system.
Highlights
Tissue Engineering, as introduced in 1993 [1], is the creation of complex tissues and organs from simpler engineered pieces
This study found that cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) prompted significantly more cardiomyocyte proliferation, differentiation and myofilament formation from the repopulated multipotent cardiovascular progenitors (MCPs) than in a three dimensional (3D) microenvironment of embryoid body
Decellularization began with great promise to regenerate cadaveric organs while overcoming transplant rejection and possibly alleviating perpetual shortage of donated organs
Summary
Tissue Engineering, as introduced in 1993 [1], is the creation of complex tissues and organs from simpler engineered pieces. Using the FRESH printing approach, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) data from bifurcated coronary arteries, femur, trabeculated embryonic heart, or human brain can be printed up to several millimeter scales at a resolution of around 200 μm from computer aided design (CAD) files Another example demonstrated that human-scale tissue constructs could be printed using cell-laden hydrogels to fabricate bone, cartilage, and muscle tissues. Kang et al [29] acquired medical imaging (CT or MRI) data and processed them in CAD software, translated to a series of command list for 3D printer XYZ stage movement and actuating pneumatic pressure and printed composite hydrogels for cell delivery including gelatin, fibrinogen, HA and glycerol mixed into high glucose DMEM (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium) This integrated tissue-organ printer (ITOP) was capable of printing at a resolution of 2 μm for.
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