Controlling Shear Stress in 3D Bioprinting is a Key Factor to Balance Printing Resolution and Stem Cell Integrity

Andreas Blaeser; Daniela Filipa Duarte Campos; Uta Puster; Walter Richtering; Molly M Stevens; Horst Fischer

doi:10.1002/adhm.201500677

Controlling Shear Stress in 3D Bioprinting is a Key Factor to Balance Printing Resolution and Stem Cell Integrity

Adv Healthc Mater. 2016 Feb 4;5(3):326-33. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201500677. Epub 2015 Dec 2.

Authors

Andreas Blaeser¹, Daniela Filipa Duarte Campos¹, Uta Puster¹, Walter Richtering², Molly M Stevens³, Horst Fischer¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
² Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
³ Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, London, UK.

PMID: 26626828
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201500677

Abstract

A microvalve-based bioprinting system for the manufacturing of high-resolution, multimaterial 3D-structures is reported. Applying a straightforward fluid-dynamics model, the shear stress at the nozzle site can precisely be controlled. Using this system, a broad study on how cell viability and proliferation potential are affected by different levels of shear stress is conducted. Complex, multimaterial 3D structures are printed with high resolution. This work pioneers the investigation of shear stress-induced cell damage in 3D bioprinting and might help to comprehend and improve the outcome of cell-printing studies in the future.

Keywords: bioprinting; hydrogels; rheology; shear stress; stem cells.

MeSH terms

Bioprinting / methods
Cell Proliferation / physiology
Cell Survival / physiology
Humans
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Stem Cells / physiology*
Stress, Mechanical
Tissue Engineering / methods
Tissue Scaffolds