Nanocomposite bioinks for 3D bioprinting

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an advanced technology to fabricate artificial 3D tissue constructs containing cells and hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Nanocomposite rein-forcement endows hydrogels with superior properties and tailored functionalities. A broad range of nano -materials, including silicon-based, ceramic-based, cellulose-based, metal-based, and carbon-based nano -materials, have been incorporated into hydrogel networks with encapsulated cells for improved perfor-mances. This review emphasizes the recent developments of cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks for 3D bioprinting, focusing on their reinforcement effects and mechanisms, including viscosity, shear-thinning property, printability, mechanical properties, structural integrity, and biocompatibility. The cell-material interactions are discussed to elaborate on the underlying mechanisms between the cells and the nano -materials. The biomedical applications of cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks are summarized with a fo-cus on bone and cartilage tissue engineering. Finally, the limitations and challenges of current cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks are identified. The prospects are concluded in designing multi-component bioinks with multi-functionality for various biomedical applications. 3D bioprinting, an emerging technology of additive manufacturing, has been one of the most innovative tools for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Recent developments of cell-laden nanocompos-ite bioinks for 3D bioprinting, and cell-materials interactions are the subject of this review paper. The reinforcement effects and mechanisms of nanocomposites on viscosity, printability and biocompatibility of bioinks and 3D printed scaffolds are addressed mainly for bone and cartilage tissue engineering. It provides detailed information for further designing and optimizing multi-component bioinks with multi -functionality for specialized biomedical applications.(c) 2022 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This review paper focuses on the recent developments in cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks for 3D bioprinting and their effects on the properties and performance of the bioinks. The reinforcement mechanisms and interactions between cells and nano-materials are discussed, with an emphasis on bone and cartilage tissue engineering applications. The limitations and future prospects of current cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks are also addressed.