Polymer and bioink mixed strategy for human 3D printed Hippocampus model development

Abstract

Science development can be directly correlated with the models and technologies applied to best simulate the analyzed environment in relation to the clinical reality to be studied and treated. 3D printers and bioinks enable the information acquisition from a clinical imaging environment and replicate it in an experimental one, such as cultured cells, with individual anatomical fidelity and control of cell layers, which mimic real tissue. Neuronal tissue greatly benefits from this approach because it´s a tissue hard to get samples, controls and with limitations in current cell culture monolayer models. Our results demonstrate the development of a model of human hippocampus with anatomical fidelity from magnetic resonance, printed with 3D technology in polylactic acid (PLA) polymer and brain decellularized tissue bioink. Therefore, we performed a screening aiming to determine the best materials. We performed hydrophobicity, surface morphology, cell viability, direct and indirect adhesion assays in the polymers, resulting in PLA among the best performing materials. Then we demonstrated a 3D model to comprehend hippocampus anatomy and histological complexity. Our results combine different expertise in the development of a model with the potential to enhance the study and application of therapeutic strategies regarding hippocampus pathologies.