Microfluidic bioprinting towards a renal in vitro model

Bioprinting, vol. 20, pp. e00108

Abstract

It is estimated that 10% of the worldwide population suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD) with a rising tendency. Patients with CKD have limited treatment options and novel therapies that could halt or even reverse the progression of CKD are urgently needed. Bioprinting is considered one of the most promising approaches to generate novel 3D in vitro models and organ-like constructs to investigate underlying pathomechanism of kidney diseases. This study aimed at establishing a method to isolate primary renal cells in an easy and reproducible way. These cells were used in a new bioprinting platform laying the foundation for the development of a 3D renal tubulointerstitium model for in vitro studies. Primary murine tubular (pmTECs), endothelial and fibroblast cells were successfully isolated, but further optimization is required for the culture and expansion of primary endothelial cells. Therefore, an endothelial cell line (HUVECs) and pmTECs were combined with polysaccharide biomaterial ink solutions and processed with a microfluidic 3D bioprinter, leading to high cell viability and metabolic activity. Core-shell bioprinted constructs with HUVECs and pmTECs were manufactured mimicking tubules. In conclusion, microfluidic bioprinting strategy could be used to build a novel 3D kidney in vitro model.

Authors 6

1. Gabriele Addario

   Maastricht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands

2. Sonja Djudjaj Aachen Institute of Pathology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Pathology, RWTH University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany

3. Silvia Farè

   Politecnico di Milano

   Affiliation as printed

   Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy

4. Peter Boor Aachen Division of Nephrology Electron Microscopy Facility Institute of Pathology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Nephrology, RWTH University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany

   Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Pathology, RWTH University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany

5. Lorenzo Moroni

   Maastricht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands

6. Carlos Mota corresponding

   Maastricht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands