Laser Printing of Three-Dimensional Multicellular Arrays for Studies of Cell–Celland Cell–Environment Interactions

authored by: Martin Gruene, Michael Pflaum, Christian Hess, Stefanos Diamantouros, Sabrina Schlie, Andrea Deiwick, Lothar Koch, Mathias Wilhelmi, Stefan Jockenhoevel, Axel Haverich, Boris Chichkov
Abstract: Utilization of living cells for therapies in regenerative medicine requires a fundamental understanding of the interactions between different cells and their environment. Moreover, common models based on adherent two-dimensional cultures are not appropriate to simulate the complex interactions that occur in a three-dimensional (3D) cell-microenvironment in vivo. In this study, we present a computer-aided method for the printing of multiple cell types in a 3D array using laser-assisted bioprinting. By printing spots of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), we demonstrate that (i) these cell spots can be arranged layer-by-layer in a 3D array; (ii) any cell-cell ratio, cell quantity, cell-type combination, and spot spacing can be realized within this array; and (iii) the height of the 3D array is freely scalable. As a proof of concept, we printed separate spots of ASCs and ECFCs within a 3D array and observed cell-cell interactions in vascular endothelial growth factor-free medium. It has been demonstrated that direct cell-cell contacts trigger the development of stable vascular-like networks. This method can be applied to study complex and dynamic relationships between cells and their local environment.
External Organisation(s): Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH)
Hannover Medical School (MHH)
RWTH Aachen University
Type: Article
Journal: Tissue Engineering - Part C: Methods
Volume: 17
Pages: 973-982
No. of pages: 10
ISSN: 1937-3384
Publication date: 27.06.2011
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Bioengineering, Medicine (miscellaneous), Biomedical Engineering
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tec.2011.0185 (Access: Open)