Researchers have developed a method to 3D bioprint tissue in a way that can heal wounds.
To seal up a wound, you’d think you’d be 3D printing skin, but here the approach is a bit more indirect.
The researchers have developed a method of 3D printing adipose tissues, which hasn’t previously been achieved.
Adipose tissues are basically “body fat” that serve as a loose connective material in the body. While we may think of “body fat” as being inert stores of energy, this tissue actually acts as a major endocrine organ in the body. It can release a number of different hormones for a range of purposes in body operations.
The concept is to leverage the adipose tissue to promote skin growth. They explain:
“The adipose tissue, which serves as an endocrine organ, releases various molecules that regulate the repair of other damaged tissues, including the skin. Hence, adipose tissues can potentially be reengineered to regenerate the damaged organs. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has revolutionized regenerative medicine by enabling the generation of engineered and functional 3D organs or tissues, including adipose tissues. However, the currently used tissue biofabrication methods cannot replicate the native structure and densely packed lipid droplets of adipose tissues, hindering the therapeutic application of 3D-printed adipose tissues.”
The researchers were able to develop a new approach using a specialized bioink to ensure the proper physiological properties enabled adipose tissue deposition.
Assistant Professor Byoung Soo Kim from the Pusan National University explains:
“Under standard culture conditions, preadipocytes tend to proliferate and migrate, preventing the formation of lipid droplets that are essential for adipose tissue functions. The hybrid bioink developed in this study maintains the physiological properties of the adipose tissue.”
The approach was tested by 3D bioprinting a tissue assembly made from the bioink and materials, which was then transplanted into the skin of a mouse. They found that the assembly did indeed promote more rapid growth of skin cells to heal the wound. This included not only skin, but also blood vessel structures and other elements.
Where could this new approach go? Lead author on the paper, Jae-Seong Lee, explained:
“The 3D bioprinted endocrine tissues enhanced skin regeneration, indicating their potential applications in regenerative medicine. While current fat grafting procedures suffer from low survival rates and gradual resorption, our hybrid bioinks enhance endocrine function and cell viability, potentially overcoming these limitations. This approach could be particularly valuable for treating chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sores, and burns.”
