In vitro maturation and in vivo stability of bioprinted human nasal cartilage

Abstract

The removal of skin cancer lesions on the nose often results in the loss of nasal cartilage. The cartilage loss is either surgically replaced with autologous cartilage or synthetic grafts. However, these replacement options come with donor-site morbidity and resorption issues. 3-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology offers the opportunity to engineer anatomical-shaped autologous nasal cartilage grafts. The 3D bioprinted cartilage grafts need to embody a mechanically competent extracellular matrix (ECM) to allow for surgical suturing and resistance to contraction during scar tissue formation. We investigated the effect of culture period on ECM formation and mechanical properties of 3D bioprinted constructs of human nasal chondrocytes (hNC)-laden type I collagen hydrogel in vitro and in vivo. Tissue-engineered nasal cartilage constructs developed from hNC culture in clinically approved collagen type I and type III semi-permeable membrane scaffold served as control. The resulting 3D bioprinted engineered nasal cartilage constructs were comparable or better than the controls both in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrates that 3D bioprinted constructs of engineered nasal cartilage are feasible options in nasal cartilage reconstructive surgeries.

3D Bioprinting in Otolaryngology: A Review

“…Histological analysis revealed decreased cartilage formation without the presence of the SPTM compared to scaffolds with the SPTM, indicating that a protective barrier in this case prevented resorption of cartilage rings in vivo and provided a potential solution to the issue of macrophage‐mediated proteoglycan loss presented earlier. [ 123 ] Despite evidence of cartilage formation, there was no evidence of a functional epithelial layer in this study and further work in an orthotopic model will be an important aspect of further clinical applications.…”

“…Lan et al. [ 123 ] investigated the effect of culture period on ECM formation and mechanical properties of 3D bioprinted scaffolds composed of collagen type I hydrogel with incorporated human nasoseptal chondrocytes (hNCs) with the goal to engineer scaffolds that allow for surgical suturing and resistance to contraction during scar formation ( Figure A,B). The FRESH method was used to print a patient‐specific right lower lateral nasal cartilage generated from CT imaging and compared to controls composed of cells seeded onto a clinically approved collagen type I/III collagen membrane (Chondro‐gide).…”

“…Adapted with permission. [ 123 ] Copyright 2022, Sage Publications. B) Demonstration of gross morphology of 3D bioprinted nasal alar constructs and commercially available control (chondro‐gide) scaffolds across culture time.…”

“…Image (bottom) shows nasal alar cartilage 3D bioprinted in a gelatin support bath before (bottom left) and 30 min after incubation in 37 °C with removal of support bath (bottom right). Adapted with permission [123]. Copyright 2022, Sage Publications.…”

“…B) Demonstration of gross morphology of 3D bioprinted nasal alar constructs and commercially available control (chondro-gide) scaffolds across culture time. Adapted with permission [123]. Copyright 2022, Sage Publications.…”