Page 272 - IJB-10-2

International

Journal of Bioprinting

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Preparation of tunable hollow composite

microfibers assisted by microfluidic spinning
and its application in the construction of in vitro

neural models

Jingyun Ma *, Wei Li , Lingling Tian , and Xinghua Gao *
2
2
1
1,2
1 Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering, The Affiliated Lihuili
Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
2 Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advancements in 3D Printing, Microfluidics, and Their Integrated
Applications)

Abstract
Microfluidic spinning, which has recently emerged as an important approach
to processing hydrogels, can handle the flow in the fluid channel and generate
microfibers in a controlled and mild manner, and therefore, it is suitable for cell
loading, long-term culture, and tissue engineering. In this study, we utilized three-
dimensional (3D) printing technology to prepare microfluidic chip templates with
different microchannel heights in a one-step manner and obtained microfluidic
spinning and microfiber assembly microchips. Hollow calcium alginate (CaA)/gelatin
*Corresponding authors: methacrylate (GelMA) composite microfibers were successfully prepared using a
Xinghua Gao microfluidic spinning microchip combined with different fluid-injection strategies.
(gaoxinghua@t.shu.edu.cn) The obtained hollow microfibers had one, two, or three lumens, and different
Jingyun Ma inclusions could be added to the fiber walls. Hollow microfibers with a single lumen
(majingyun198401@126.com) were used to load human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and exhibited
Citation: Ma J, Li W, Tian L, Gao good cell compatibility and barrier functions. We constructed a neural model based
X. Preparation of tunable hollow on the HUVEC-loaded hollow microfibers using a customized 3D printer. Using
composite microfibers assisted
by microfluidic spinning and its this established neural model, we induced the neural differentiation of rat adrenal
application in the construction of in medullary pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) using nerve growth factor. Axonal
vitro neural models. Int J Bioprint. length, tubulin expression, and related gene (GAP-43 and TH) expression in PC12 cells
2024;10(2):1797.
doi: 10.36922/ijb.1797 were assessed. The current findings underscore the potential of utilizing microfluidic
spinning in in vitro blood–brain barrier simulation, neuropharmaceutical and toxin
Received: September 11, 2023 evaluation, and brain-on-a-chip construction.
Accepted: November 7, 2023
Published Online: January 11, 2024
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). Keywords: Microfluidic spinning; Hollow microfiber; 3D bioprinting; PC12 cells;
This is an Open Access article Neural differentiation
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited. 1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience Microfibers possess several desirable features, such as large specific surface areas,
Publishing remains neutral with excellent mechanical properties, and good biocompatibility. In particular, its structural
1,2
regard to jurisdictional claims in characteristics allow for effective material exchange and mechanical support, making it
published maps and institutional
affiliations. an ideal three-dimensional (3D) carrier for cells or tissues, and it is increasingly being

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 264 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1797