Patient-specific meniscus prototype based on 3D bioprinting of human cell-laden scaffold

Bone & Joint Research

article

G. Filardo¹  M. Petretta²  C. Cavallo⁴  L. Roseti²  S. Durante⁵  U. Albisinni⁵  B. Grigolo² 

[1] Applied and Translational Research ,(ATR) Center, IRCCS – Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli;Laboratory RAMSES, Laboratorio RAMSES, Rizzoli Research, Innovation & Technology Department ,(RIT), IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli;RegenHu Ltd;Laboratorio RAMSES, Rizzoli Research, Innovation & Technology Department ,(RIT), IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli;Struttura Complessa Radiologia Diagnostica ed Interventistica, Dipartimento Patologie Ortopediche-Traumatologiche Complesse, IRCCS – Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli

关键词: Meniscus;    Bioprinting;    Cell-laden bio-ink;    Scaffold;    Mesenchymal stem cells;   

DOI  :  10.1302/2046-3758.82.BJR-2018-0134.R1

学科分类：骨科学

来源: British Editorial Society Of Bone And Joint Surgery

【 摘 要 】

ObjectivesMeniscal injuries are often associated with an active lifestyle. The damage of meniscal tissue puts young patients at higher risk of undergoing meniscal surgery and, therefore, at higher risk of osteoarthritis. In this study, we undertook proof-of-concept research to develop a cellularized human meniscus by using 3D bioprinting technology.MethodsA 3D model of bioengineered medial meniscus tissue was created, based on MRI scans of a human volunteer. The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data from these MRI scans were processed using dedicated software, in order to obtain an STL model of the structure. The chosen 3D Discovery printing tool was a microvalve-based inkjet printhead. Primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from bone marrow and embedded in a collagen-based bio-ink before printing. LIVE/DEAD assay was performed on realized cell-laden constructs carrying MSCs in order to evaluate cell distribution and viability.ResultsThis study involved the realization of a human cell-laden collagen meniscus using 3D bioprinting. The meniscus prototype showed the biological potential of this technology to provide an anatomically shaped, patient-specific construct with viable cells on a biocompatible material.ConclusionThis paper reports the preliminary findings of the production of a custom-made, cell-laden, collagen-based human meniscus. The prototype described could act as the starting point for future developments of this collagen-based, tissue-engineered structure, which could aid the optimization of implants designed to replace damaged menisci.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC