Preparation and applications of rgd conjugated polysaccharide bioinks with or without fibrin for 3d bioprinting of human skin with novel printing head for use as model for testing cosmetics and for transplantation

Abstract

The present invention relates to use of hydrogel based on RGD-conjugated alginate with and without addition of nanocellulose and/or fibrin as a novel bioink for 3D Bioprinting of human skin, particularly dermis. RGD-conjugated alginate provides adhesion sites for the human fibroblasts which result in cell adhesion and stretching which contribute to upregulation of genes producing Collagen I. In this invention, RGD-conjugated alginate is used as one of the components of the bioink for 3D bioprinting. Another innovation described herewith is use of coaxial needle when 3D bioprinting with alginate and RGD-modified alginate bioinks. A coaxial needle makes it possible to crosslink the bioink upon 3D bioprinting operation and thus achieve high printing fidelity which is required for high cell viability, proliferation and production of extracellular matrix. In this invention, the novel RGD-modified alginate bioink together with human fibroblasts is 3D bioprinted and the resulting construct shows high cell viability, high cell proliferation, high degree of stretching of fibroblasts and high productivity of Collagen I. The cell bioink construct biofabricated with this invention is ideal for testing cosmetics and active ingredients of skin care products particularly those used for skin regeneration. It is also ideal to be used as skin grafts for skin repair for patients with damaged or burned skin.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.