Multi-Tissue Integrated Tissue-Engineered Trachea Regeneration Based on 3D Printed Bioelastomer Scaffolds

Functional segmental trachea reconstruction is a critical concern in thoracic surgery, and tissue-engineered trachea (TET) holds promise as a potential solution. However, current TET falls short in fully restoring physiological function due to the lack of the intricate multi-tissue structure found in natural trachea. In this research, a multi-tissue integrated tissue-engineered trachea (MI-TET) is successfully developed by orderly assembling various cells (chondrocytes, fibroblasts and epithelial cells) on 3D-printed PGS bioelastomer scaffolds. The MI-TET closely resembles the complex structures of natural trachea and achieves the integrated regeneration of four essential tracheal components: C-shaped cartilage ring, O-shaped vascularized fiber ring, axial fiber bundle, and airway epithelium. Overall, the MI-TET demonstrates highly similar multi-tissue structures and physiological functions to natural trachea, showing promise for future clinical advancements in functional TETs. This study introduces a novel Multi-tissue Integrated Tissue-Engineered Trachea (MI-TET) based on 3D printed bioelastomer scaffolds. Through 2D patterning and 3D assembling techniques, the researchers effectively organize several kinds of cells to create a well-structured TET. This TET included C-shaped cartilage rings, O-shaped vascularized fiber rings, axial fiber bundle, and airway epithelium, closely mimicking the architecture of natural trachea, which holds promising implications for clinical applications in the repair of segmental trachea defects. image