In situ magnetic-field-assisted bioprinting process using magnetorheological bioink to obtain engineered muscle constructs.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Abstract Tissue-engineered anisotropic cell constructs are promising candidates for treating volumetric muscle loss (VML). However, achieving successful cell alignment within macroscale 3D cell constructs for skeletal muscle tissue regeneration remains challenging, owing to difficulties in controlling cell arrangement within a low-viscosity hydrogel. Herein, we propose the concept of a magnetorheological bioink to manipulate the cellular arrangement within a low-viscosity hydrogel. This bioink consisted of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), iron oxide nanoparticles, and human adipose stem cells (hASCs). The cell arrangement is regulated by the responsiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles to external magnetic fields. A bioprinting process using ring magnets was developed for in situ bioprinting, resulting in well-aligned 3D cell structures and enhanced mechanotransduction effects on hASCs. In vitro analyses revealed upregulation of cellular activities, including myogenic-related gene expression, in hASCs. When implanted into a VML mouse model, the bioconstructs improved muscle functionality and regeneration, validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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