Bile duct reconstruction using scaffold-free tubular constructs created by Bio-3D printer

Abstract

Introduction Biliary strictures after bile duct injury or duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction are serious complications that markedly reduce patients’ quality of life because their treatment involves periodic stent replacements. This study aimed to create a scaffold-free tubular construct as an interposition graft to treat biliary complications. Methods Scaffold-free tubular constructs of allogeneic pig fibroblasts, that is, fibroblast tubes, were created using a Bio-3D Printer and implanted into pigs as interposition grafts for duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. Results Although the fibroblast tube was weaker than the native bile duct, it was sufficiently strong to enable suturing. The pigs' serum hepatobiliary enzyme levels remained stable during the experimental period. Micro-computed tomography showed no biliary strictures, no biliary leakages, and no intrahepatic bile duct dilations. The tubular structure was retained in all resected specimens, and the fibroblasts persisted at the graft sites. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed angiogenesis in the fibroblast tube and absence of extensions of the biliary epithelium into the fibroblast tube's lumen. Conclusions This study's findings demonstrated successful reconstruction of the extrahepatic bile duct with a scaffold-free tubular construct created from pig fibroblasts using a novel Bio-3D Printer. This construct could provide a novel regenerative treatment for patients with hepatobiliary diseases.

Bioink Formulation and Machine Learning-Empowered Bioprinting Optimization

“…The microneedles provided support while the spheroids grew large enough to contact neighboring spheroids and fuse together. Recently, the Kenzan method has been used to fabricate trachea ( Taniguchi et al, 2018 ), cardiac tissues ( Arai et al, 2021 ), and bile ducts ( Hamada et al, 2021 ).…”

3D-printed versatile biliary stents with nanoengineered surface for anti-hyperplasia and antibiofilm formation

“…Moreover, because the bile duct conditions vary based on the lesion, gender, age, and condition of the patient, customized biliary stents can treat biliary strictures more effectively. Recently, stents manufactured via extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing with the introduction of an extruder and mandrel along the xƟz axis have been investigated to customize their biliary lesion and size [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] ].…”