Hybrid bioinks for embedded bioprinting of an artery model

Abstract

The integration of biomaterials with living cells and stimuli-responsive materials can be employed to create bioinks capable of generating 3D in vitro models that better recapitulate native tissues. We introduce a multilayered artery model that combines hybrid multifunctional materials including a stimuli-responsive polymeric ink to mimic the tunica adventitia arterial wall, and an extracellular matrix (ECM)-based bioink for the tunica media artery layer. The stimuli-responsive hybrid layer integrates inorganic (plasmonic nanoparticles) and organic (polymers) components, providing structural support and introducing diverse functionalities to the system. The cell-laden bioink consists of human vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC) within a hydrogel based on porcine artery-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) that fosters optimal cell growth and proliferation. An embedding bioprinting technique was employed for the fabrication of the multimaterial artery model consisting of concentric cylinders. The dimensions of the 3D model and the bioprinting parameters were fine-tuned to ensure effective crosslinking of the multiple concentric layers resulting in the creation of self-supporting constructs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the hybrid bioink composition and bioprinting parameters in supporting cell viability and proliferation within the multilayered construct, expanding the possibilities of employing novel multi-component materials for the fabrication of 3D vasculature models resembling the structure of native blood vessels.