The Development of Region-Specific Decellularized Meniscus Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting Applications
Abstract
The incorporation of meniscus extracellular matrix (ECM) into a 3D printable bioink has the potential to promote tissue regeneration by providing biological cues that direct cell survival, proliferation, and lineage-specific differentiation. This study developed region-specific meniscus ECM bioinks and assessed their effects on the viability, retention, and differentiation of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs). A novel meniscal decellularization protocol was developed and demonstrated effective removal of cellular content and preservation of key ECM constituents. When incorporated into alginate-based bioinks, the decellularized inner and outer meniscus demonstrated cell-instructive effects supporting ASC retention, and enhancing differentiation towards a fibrochondrogenic phenotype when cultured with chondrogenic differentiation medium. These studies provide relevant new insight supporting that region-specific ECM can be harnessed to direct cell phenotype and function within tissue-engineered scaffolds.