Three-Dimensional Bioprinting of Decellularized Extracellular Matrix-Based Bioinks for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is one of the most promising additive manufacturing technologies for fabricating various biomimetic architectures of tissues and organs. In this context, the bioink, a critical element for biofabrication, is a mixture of biomaterials and living cells used in 3D printing to create cell-laden structures. Recently, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-based bioinks derived from natural tissues have garnered enormous attention from researchers due to their unique and complex biochemical properties. This review initially presents the details of the natural ECM and its role in cell growth and metabolism. Further, we briefly emphasize the commonly used decellularization treatment procedures and subsequent evaluations for the quality control of the dECM. In addition, we summarize some of the common bioink preparation strategies, the 3D bioprinting approaches, and the applicability of 3D-printed dECM bioinks to tissue engineering. Finally, we present some of the challenges in this field and the prospects for future development.

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix-Based Bioinks for Tendon Regeneration in Three-Dimensional Bioprinting

“…On the other hand, ethylene oxide causes protein damage and is considered to be cytotoxic. Depending on the tissue of the dECM, different sterilization methods are recommended, as shown in Figure 8 [ 14 , 54 ]. Hence, the sterilizing agent must ideally be safe and straightforward to use, along with having sufficient sterilization properties [ 48 ].…”

“…There are numerous techniques for manufacturing scaffolds, with 3D bioprinting being the most widely used. Three-dimensional bioprinting uses computer-designed 3D models and bioinks to fabricate scaffolds with specific and complex structures by using the layer-by-layer method, which mimics the native extracellular matrix (ECM) structure [ 3 , 14 ]. Custom designs can be made from a clinical image of the lesion in order to repair the patient’s defect [ 1 ].…”

“…It deposits uninterrupted filaments of bioink [ 1 ]. These types of bioprinters can have coaxial nozzles or multi-printheads to create vascular structures or multi-tissue scaffolds [ 14 ]. Among its advantages are its low printing cost, its ease to use, its capacity to sustain a high cellular density, and its ability to print different biomaterials [ 1 , 8 , 14 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…These types of bioprinters can have coaxial nozzles or multi-printheads to create vascular structures or multi-tissue scaffolds [ 14 ]. Among its advantages are its low printing cost, its ease to use, its capacity to sustain a high cellular density, and its ability to print different biomaterials [ 1 , 8 , 14 , 16 , 17 ]. However, it has a low print resolution, and the cell viability is affected when the print pressure and the shear force increase [ 1 , 14 , 18 ].…”

“…It requires low viscosity bioinks, limiting the structures that can be bioprinted and the cell density of the bioink. Other limitations include the variability in droplet size and nozzle clogging [ 1 , 14 ].…”