AccScience Publishing / IJB / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/ijb.4053
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Characterization of biological and mechanical properties of 3D-bioprinted osteochondral plugs

Nicholas A. Chartrain1,2* ,  Maria Piroli1,2 ,  Kristin H. Gilchrist1,2 ,  Vincent B. Ho1 ,  George J. Klarmann1,2
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1 4D Bio³ Center for Biotechnology and Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
2 The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, Washington, USA
IJB 2024, 10(4), 4053 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.4053
Submitted: 26 June 2024 | Accepted: 17 July 2024 | Published: 19 August 2024
© 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 offers significant potential for the repair of articular cartilage by engineering functional osteochondral tissue. However, progress has been hindered by a lack of printable bioinks that promote the development of bone and chondral tissue while also maintaining sufficient cytocompatibility and mechanical strength. Herein, we designed a biphasic osteochondral plug with distinct chondral and bone regions and developed suitable bioinks for each tissue using photorheology and compression testing. The chondral region consisted of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hbMSCs) encapsulated in a chondral bioink composed of methacrylated hyaluronic acid and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The bone region was 3D bioprinted from an hbMSC-laden methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) bioink and a biodegradable thermoplastic and ceramic lattice that provided mechanical strength. The viability and functionality of hbMSC encapsulated in the bioinks were confirmed through live/dead assays, histology, biochemical assays, and fluorescence microscopy. Over 56 days of culture in a chondrogenic medium, hbMSCs encapsulated in chondral bioink deposited cartilage-like extracellular matrix components, such as type II collagen and glycosaminoglycans. Similarly, cells encapsulated in the bone bioink and cultured in osteogenic medium deposited hydroxyapatite, a key component of bone. These findings provide promising initial results for using 3D-bioprinted plugs to repair osteochondral defects in articular cartilage.  

Keywords
3D Bioprinting
Osteochondral plug
Cartilage
Bioink
Funding
This research was funded by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (Grant No. HU00011920022) and administered by The Geneva Foundation. The opinions and assertions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the U.S. Department of Defense.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
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International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing
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