Embedding bioprinting of low viscous, photopolymerizable blood-based bioinks in a self-healing transparent supporting bath

Caiado Decarli, M.; Ferreira, H.; Sobreiro-Almeida, R.; Teixeira, F.; Correia, T.; Babilotte, J.; Olijve, J.; Custodio, C.; Goncalves, I.; Mota, C.; Mano, J.; Moroni, L.

doi:10.1101/2024.05.29.596452

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.05.29.596452

Embedding bioprinting of low viscous, photopolymerizable blood-based bioinks in a self-healing transparent supporting bath

Caiado Decarli, M.·Ferreira, H.·Sobreiro-Almeida, R.·Teixeira, F.·Correia, T.·Babilotte, J.·Olijve, J.·Custodio, C.·Goncalves, I.·Mota, C.·Mano, J.·Moroni, L.

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Abstract

Protein-based hydrogels have great potential to be used as bioinks for biofabrication-driven tissue regeneration strategies due to their innate bioactivity. Nevertheless, their use as bioinks in conventional 3D bioprinting is impaired due to their intrinsic low viscosity. Using embedding bioprinting, a liquid bioink is printed whithin a support that physically holds the patterned filament. Inspired by the recognized microencapsulation technique complex coacervation, we introduce crystal self-healing embedding bioprinting (CLADDING) based on a highly transparent crystal supporting bath. The suitability of distinct classes of gelatins was evaluated (i.e., molecular weight distribution, isoelectric point and ionic content), as well as the formation of gelatin-gum arabic microparticles as a function of pH, temperature, solvent and mass ratios. Characterizing and controlling this parametric window resulted in high yields of support bath with ideal self-healing properties for interaction with protein-based bioinks during bioprinting. This support bath achieved transparency, which boosted light permeation within the bath. CLADDING bioprinted constructs fully composed of platelet lysates encapsulating a co-culture of human mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial cells were obtained, demonstrating high-dense cellular network with excellent cell viability and stability over a month. CLADDING broadens the spectrum of photocrosslinkable materials with extremely low viscosity that can now be bioprinted with sensitive cells using embedding bioprinting without any additional support.

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Caiado Decarli, M., Ferreira, H., Sobreiro-Almeida, R., Teixeira, F., Correia, T., Babilotte, J., Olijve, J., Custodio, C., Goncalves, I., Mota, C., Mano, J., Moroni, L.. 2024-06-02. Embedding bioprinting of low viscous, photopolymerizable blood-based bioinks in a self-healing transparent supporting bath. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.29.596452

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