AccScience Publishing / IJB / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/ijb.2219
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Enhancing cell proliferation in three-dimensional hydrogel scaffolds using digital light processing bioprinting technology

Yejin Choi1 ,  Jeong Wook Seo1,2 ,  Goo Jang3 ,  Woo Kyung Jung2 ,  Yong Ho Park2,4 ,  Hojae Bae1,5*
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1 Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2 NoAH Biotech Co., Ltd., Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
3 Laboratory of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Research Institute of Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
4 Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
5 Institute of Advanced Regenerative Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
IJB 2024, 10(3), 2219 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.2219
Submitted: 9 November 2023 | Accepted: 1 February 2024 | Published: 28 March 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light-based Bioprinted Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
© 2024 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is gradually emerging as a popular technique driving as a new paradigm in tissue engineering. Enhancing cell proliferation and engraftment within volumetric 3D-bioprinted scaffolds is a key challenge in its implementation. However, basic exploratory studies on cell proliferation enhancement in 3D-bioprinted scaffolds using digital light processing (DLP) technology are still lacking. Traditionally, microchannels in scaffolds have been regarded as non-functional, empty spaces. In this paper, however, we propose that microchannels implanted in DLP-bioprinted scaffolds can provide space for cell proliferation, giving a new definition to microchannel function. To this end, we used fish gelatin methacrylate (F-GelMA) as a bioink with photocurable properties, followed by functional evaluation and optimization through rheological analysis. The morphology of DLP-printed scaffolds using the bioink was analyzed, and their biocompatibility was demonstrated through cell viability analysis. Microchannels of three different sizes were implanted to facilitate oxygenation, nutrient delivery, and media flow by addressing structural barriers identified via morphological analysis. Cell viability and proliferation rates in outer and inner microchannels were then comparatively analyzed. During the long-term culture period (about 5 weeks), the differences in proliferation rates due to changes in the media flow environment were assessed. The results demonstrated that cell survival, growth, and proliferation were significantly enhanced within the DLP-printed scaffolds in which the cells were encapsulated. This approach lends itself useful for basic exploratory study utilizing 3D culture technology in the realms of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, where effective cell proliferation relative to the same volume is required.

 

Keywords
Tissue engineering
Digital light processing
Three-dimensional printing
Hydrogel scaffold
Cell proliferation
Microchannel
Funding
This work was supported by the Creative and Challenging Convergence Model Development Program (RS-2023- 00232550) from the Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (iPET). The authors are grateful for the financial support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2018R1D1A1B05047274) and NoAH Biotech Co., Ltd. Korea.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing
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