MOSCOW, June 1Russian scientists from the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (MSMU) and the Semenov Center for Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences have been able to create a technology for 3D bioprinting of human tissue from living cells, this achievement allows printing organs and tissues for a specific person, the MSMU reported.
The authors of the work carried out a full cycle of 3D bioprinting and obtained a tissue bioequivalent — an artificial analogue of living human tissue.
To begin with, the specialists took two types of human stem mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) — from adipose tissue and from the gingival mucosa. They were used to form spheroids (aggregates of cells in the form of balls), which are used as building blocks in a 3D printer. At the same time, scientists prepared bio-ink for a 3D printer in a special way.
In the course of the work, it turned out that tissue equivalents printed using a bioprinter have a number of advantages, since they showed greater functionality. Another important conclusion of scientists is the importance of initially choosing the right material for bioprinting, since the properties of the future tissue equivalent depend on the original cells. Gingival mesenchymal stromal cells are more suitable for creating a vessel or bone, and adipose tissue MSCs are more suitable for obtaining skin implants.
During the study, the team produced a fully functional living tissue equivalent of the skin. In the future, it can be used to treat diabetic and trophic ulcers, non-healing wounds, burns, and other defects that are difficult to regenerate with existing methods of treatment. In addition, obtaining such bioequivalents will reduce animal studies and make regenerative medicine technologies more ethical.
The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation.