Implantable 3D printed hydrogels with intrinsic channels for liver tissue engineering

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Lieberthal, Tyler J.; Sahakyants, Tatevik; Szabo-Wexler, Naomi R.; Hancock, Matthew J.; Spann, Andrew P.; Oliver, Mark S.; Grindy, Scott C.; Neville, Craig M.; Vacanti, Joseph P.
• 署名单位: Harvard University; Harvard University Medical Affiliates; Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard University; Harvard Medical School
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-11317
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403322121
• 发表日期: 2024-11-19
• 关键词: mesenchymal stem-cells; rat hepatocytes; scaffold; thick; FLOW

摘要

This study presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a general platform for the creation of three- dimensional printed devices (3DPDs) for tissue engineering applications. As a demonstration, we modeled the liver with 3DPDs consisting of a pair of parallel millifluidic channels that function as portal- venous (PV) and hepatobiliary (HB) structures. Perfusion of medium or whole blood through the PV channel supports the hepatocyte- containing HB channel. Device computer- aided design was optimized for structural stability, after which 3DPDs were 3D printed in a polyethylene(glycol) diacrylate photoink by digital light processing and evaluated in vitro. The HB channels were subsequently seeded with hepatic cells suspended in a collagen hydrogel. Perfusion of 3DPDs in bioreactors enhanced the viability and function of rat hepatoma cells and were maintained overtime, along with improved liver- specific functions. Similar results were observed with primary rat hepatocytes, including significant upregulation of cytochrome p450 activity. Additionally, coculture experiments involving primary rat hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and mesenchymal stem cells in 3DPDs showed enhanced viability, broad liver- specific gene expression, and histological features indicative of liver tissue architecture. In vivo implantation of 3DPDs in a rat renal shunt model demonstrated successful blood flow through the devices without clot formation and maintenance of cell viability. 3D printed designs can be scaled in 3D space, allowing for larger devices with increased cell mass. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of 3DPDs for clinical translation in hepatic support applications.