Currently, there is still a lack of appropriate in vitro model for studying lung cancers, especially for recapitulating their invasion and metastasis properties. To develop an appropriate in vitro model for lung cancer research, low-temperature molding principle of biological manufacturing and 3D bioprinting was used in this study to fabricate a cell-laden hydrogel grid scaffold structure, using gelatin-sodium alginate-lung cancer cell A549/95-D suspension as the bio-ink. Cells distributed evenly in this model with high viability, and can be cultured sustainably. This model can be cultured for up to 28 days and maintained its structural integrity. Histology, gene analysis, and scratch test showed that 3D printed cells had enhanced invasion and migration capability compared to those cultured in 2D environment, indicating that the in vitro model developed in this study was more biomimetic compared to 2D models, and it is highly valuable in biomedical research.
Keywords: 3D bioprinting; Invasion and metastasis; Lung cancer; Tumor model.