Bioprinting Cell-Laden Hydrogels for Studies of Epithelial Tissue Morphogenesis

Bryan A. Nerger, Celeste M. Nelson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides dynamic structural and molecular signals that affect the form and function of developing tissues. In order to parse how the individual features of the ECM impact cell- and tissue-level behavior during development, engineered culture models should reproduce key structural and molecular features of native ECM. Here, we describe a protocol for bioprinting epithelial cell aggregates embedded within a collagen-Matrigel ink in order to study the dynamic interplay between epithelial tissues and aligned networks of type I collagen fibers. Collagen fiber alignment and geometry can be spatially controlled by modulating the printing speed, nozzle geometry, surface chemistry, and degree of molecular crowding in the printing ink. We provide detailed procedures for generating epithelial cell aggregates, microextrusion printing collagen-Matrigel bioinks, culturing the three-dimensional (3D)-printed tissues, and imaging 3D-printed collagen-Matrigel constructs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages113-124
Number of pages12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume2805
ISSN (Print)1064-3745
ISSN (Electronic)1940-6029

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Biomaterial
  • Flow-induced alignment

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