Hybrid cell constructs consisting of bioprinted cell‐spheroids

Research Overview

Bioprinted constructs have been explored for regenerating many tissues, but weak cell–cell interaction limits them; spheroids fix that yet are awkward to print. This study introduces a printing process that fabricates spheroids and cell-loaded constructs simultaneously, with no spheroids prepared in advance.

Cells dispensed in mineral-oil droplets self-assembled into spheroids at the oil–aqueous interface and showed biological functions comparable to conventionally prepared spheroids. Printing parameters controlled spheroid diameter and placement. As a demonstration, the authors built hybrid constructs combining endothelial-cell spheroids with stem-cell-laden decellularized matrix/β-tricalcium phosphate bioink.