2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (27): 4393-4400

Latest research progress and application of bio-printing technology in tracheal tissue engineering

Pan Ziyin1, 2, 3 , Lu Yi1, 2, 3, Jin Liye3, Su Dingwen1, 2, Shi Hongcan1, 2, 3   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long-segmental tracheal lesions are mainly caused by infection, trauma, malignant tumor and other factors, and still cannot obtain satisfactory clinical efficacy. Tracheal tissue engineering combined with bio-printing technology can provide an effective treatment approach for repair of long tracheal injuries.
OBJECTIVE: To review the application and progress of bio-printing technology in tracheal tissue engineering.
METHODS: Using the terms “tracheal tissue engineering, 3D printing, 4D printing, bio-inks, tracheal replacement therapy” as key words, relevant articles were searched in CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed databases. The classification of 3D printing technology, design of bio-ink, 4D printing technology and specific applications in tissue engineered trachea were reviewed, and the current deficiencies and future development direction were analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The 3D printing technologies applied to tracheal tissue engineering mainly include inkjet, extrusion, sterolithography-based and laser-assisted bio-printing. Each technology has its unique advantages, but still has room for improvement. Bio-inks are an important part of bio-printing, which mainly includes hydrogel, extracellular matrix and scaffold-free bio-ink. Bio-inks need to be compatible with bio-printing technologies, and the printed products need to have appropriate porosity and strong mechanical properties. 4D printing, as an emerging technology which endows 3D printing with the concept of “dynamic and time”, has been altogether applied to tissue-engineered trachea in three targeted regards: epithelialization, cartilage regeneration and revascularization. With the help of bio-printing technology, tracheal grafts can show better biological properties and biocompatibility, constantly moving close to the real clinical application. With the continuous development of bio-printing technology and cross-complementation of modern medical disciplines, more bio-inks and bio-printed tracheae which have excellent biological performance will be developed and gradually applied in clinical practice, so as to solve the medical problem of repairing long-segment trachea defects as early as possible, which bothers the patients throughout the world.
Key words: tracheal tissue engineering, 3D printing, bio-inks, hydrogels, extracellular matrix, 4D printing, bio-printing, tracheal reconstruction, epithelial regeneration, cartilage regeneration, revascularization