Synergistic coupling between 3D bioprinting and vascularization strategies

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers promising solutions to the complex challenge of vascularization in biofabrication, thereby enhancing the prospects for clinical translation of engineered tissues and organs. While existing reviews have touched upon 3D bioprinting in vascularized tissue contexts, the current review offers a more holistic perspective, encompassing recent technical advancements and spanning the entire multistage bioprinting process, with a particular emphasis on vascularization. The synergy between 3D bioprinting and vascularization strategies is crucial, as 3D bioprinting can enable the creation of personalized, tissue-specific vascular network while the vascularization enhances tissue viability and function. The review starts by providing a comprehensive overview of the entire bioprinting process, spanning from pre-bioprinting stages to post-printing processing, including perfusion and maturation. Next, recent advancements in vascularization strategies that can be seamlessly integrated with bioprinting are discussed. Further, tissue-specific examples illustrating how these vascularization approaches are customized for diverse anatomical tissues towards enhancing clinical relevance are discussed. Finally, the underexplored intraoperative bioprinting (IOB) was highlighted, which enables the direct reconstruction of tissues within defect sites, stressing on the possible synergy shaped by combining IOB with vascularization strategies for improved regeneration.

Blood vessels in a dish: the evolution, challenges, and potential of vascularized tissues and organoids

“…This section briefly delves into various bioprinting modalities, highlighting their applications in constructing functional vascular networks, with an in-depth review by Barrs et al (214). Before initiating the bioprinting process, obtaining a highresolution 3D image of the target vascular structure is critical (218,228). Advanced vascular imaging technologies are essential in this phase, providing detailed and accurate representations of vascular architecture.…”

“…Other synthetic hydrogels include polylactic acid (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and polycaprolactone (PCL). In tissue vascularization, these hydrogels are often combined with natural hydrogels to form hybrid (composite) hydrogels ( 218 ).…”

“…Jung et al developed a more recent fibrin-based composite hydrogel, combining fibrin and dextran-methacrylate (MA) ( 220 ). A detailed exploration of the different hydrogels (natural, synthetic, and composites) has been published by Yeo et al ( 218 ) and Barrs et al ( 214 ).…”

“…Before initiating the bioprinting process, obtaining a high-resolution 3D image of the target vascular structure is critical ( 218 , 228 ). Advanced vascular imaging technologies are essential in this phase, providing detailed and accurate representations of vascular architecture.…”

Advancement in Cancer Vasculogenesis Modeling through 3D Bioprinting Technology

“…By carefully coordinating cellular, biomaterial, and growth factor deposition, complex vascular networks can be created in these models that closely resemble the complexity observed in vivo [14,17,[46][47][48]. Researchers can now fully explore the mechanisms underlying cancer vasculogenesis, thereby providing significant insights into the mechanisms underlying tumor angiogenesis and metastasis [40,[49][50][51]. This review explores several 3D bioprinting approaches aimed at creating customized patient-derived spheroids and organoids that mimic the complexity of cells in vitro.…”