Electrohydrodynamic-jetting (EHD-jet) 3D-printed functionally graded scaffolds for tissue engineering applications
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Biomimicry is a desirable quality of tissue engineering scaffolds. While most of the scaffolds reported in the literature contain a single pore size or porosity, the native biological tissues such as cartilage and skin have a layered architecture with zone-specific pore size and mechanical properties. Thus, there is a need for functionally graded scaffolds (FGS). EHD-jet 3D printing is a high-resolution process and a variety of polymer solutions can be processed into 3D porous scaffolds at ease, overcoming the limitations of other 3D printing methods (SLS, stereolithography, and FDM) in terms of resolution and limited material choice. In this paper, a novel proof of concept study on fabrication of porous polycaprolactone-based FGS by using EHD-jet 3D printing technology is presented. Organomorphic scaffolds, multiculture systems, interfacial tissue engineering, and in vitro cancer metastasis models are some of the futuristic applications of these polymeric FGS.
I. INTRODUCTION
The field of tissue engineering has gained much attention in the recent years, especially with the advent of novel technologies like 3D printing and bioprinting.1 Engineered tissues for regenerative medicine possesses many advantages over the grafting procedures (allografts or autografts).2 Ideally, patient’s own cells are used for fabrication of artificial tissue constructs. Hence, the problem of immunorejection with allografts or xenografts is overcome. Autografts, though less prone to immunorejection, suffer from other disadvantages such as donor site morbidity and might require a second surgery. With engineered tissue grafts, those post-operative complications are avoided. Porous scaffolds play an important role in the process of engineering an artificial tissue construct.3 They act as a template for the attachment of cells, providing structural support for the cells, thereby guiding the formation of new tissue.4 The design of scaffold structure and its properties (pore size, porosity, and mechanical properties) determine the fate of the cells cultured on these scaffolds. Greater the scaffold density, better are the mechanical properties and structural stability. But, the permeability of such denser scaffolds are less and hence, delivery of growth factor and nutrients will be affected. Greater the scaffold porosity, better are the permeability and mass transport properties. However, the scaffolds might not possess sufficient mechanical strength. Hence, a good scaffold design must consider both these properties and strike a right balance between a)
Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected] DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2018.159
them.3 In addition, there are several other desirable properties of tissue engineering scaffolds including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and biomimicry. Different cell types prefer different scaffold properties5 and the scaffolds are designed per the intended application. The native tissue environment is highly complex and heterogeneous in nature. Natural functional gradients across a s
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