Tang Huilin, Bi Fei, Chen Guoqing, Zhang Shuning, Huang Yibing, Chen Jiahao, Xie Li, Qiao Xiangchen, Guo Weihua
State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Int J Bioprint. 2022 Jun 10;8(3):512. doi: 10.18063/ijb.v8i3.512. eCollection 2022.
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an emerging method for tissue regeneration. However, promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction (EMI), while maintaining the characteristics of epithelial cells has always been a challenge in tissue engineering. Since EMI acts as a critical factor in bone regeneration, this study aims to promote EMI by recombining epithelial and mesenchymal cells through 3D bioprinting. Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) is a transient structure appeared in the process of tooth root formation. Its epithelial characteristics are easy to attenuate under appropriate culture environment. We recombined HERS cells and dental papilla cells (DPCs) through 3D bioprinting to simulate the micro-environment of cell-cell interaction . HERS cells and DPCs were mixed with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) separately to prepare bio-inks for bioprinting. The cells/GelMA constructs were transplanted into the alveolar socket of Sprague-Dawley rats and then observed for 8 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemical analysis showed that dimensional cultural pattern provided ideal environment for HERS cells and DPCs to generate mineralization texture and promote alveolar bone regeneration through their interactions. 3D bioprinting technology provides a new way for the co-culture of HERS cells and DPCs and this study is inspiring for future research on EMI model.
三维(3D)生物打印是一种新兴的组织再生方法。然而,在维持上皮细胞特性的同时促进上皮-间充质相互作用(EMI)一直是组织工程中的一项挑战。由于EMI在骨再生中起着关键作用,本研究旨在通过3D生物打印使上皮细胞和间充质细胞重组来促进EMI。赫特维希上皮根鞘(HERS)是牙根形成过程中出现的一种临时性结构。在适当的培养环境下,其上皮特性很容易减弱。我们通过3D生物打印将HERS细胞和牙乳头细胞(DPC)重组,以模拟细胞-细胞相互作用的微环境。将HERS细胞和DPC分别与甲基丙烯酸明胶(GelMA)混合,制备用于生物打印的生物墨水。将细胞/GelMA构建体移植到Sprague-Dawley大鼠的牙槽窝中,然后观察8周。苏木精-伊红染色、Masson染色和免疫组织化学分析表明,三维培养模式为HERS细胞和DPC产生矿化结构并通过它们之间的相互作用促进牙槽骨再生提供了理想的环境。3D生物打印技术为HERS细胞和DPC的共培养提供了一种新方法,本研究为未来EMI模型的研究提供了启发。