Page 357 - IJB-10-2

International

Journal of Bioprinting

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Development of 3D-bioprinted artificial blood

vessels loaded with rapamycin-nanoparticles for
ischemic repair

Jaewoo Choi 1,2† , Eun Ji Lee 1,2† , Hye Ji Lim , Dong Myoung Lee , Deokhyeon
1,2
1,2
Yoon , Gi Hoon Yang , Eunjeong Choi , Hojun Jeon , Kyeong Hyeon Lee , Yong-Il
3
3
1,2
4
3
Shin , Sang-Cheol Han , Woong Bi Jang *, and Sang-Mo Kwon *
4,5
1,2
1,2
6
1 Laboratory for Vascular Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Physiology, Medical
Research Institute, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of
Korea
2 Convergence Stem Cell Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic
of Korea
3 Research Institute of Additive Manufacturing and Regenerative Medicine, Baobab Healthcare Inc.,
55 Hanyangdaehak-Ro, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do 15588, South Korea
4 Science of Convergence, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic
of Korea
5
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan
50612, Republic of Korea
6 CEN Co., Ltd. Nano-Convergence Center, 761 Muan-ro, Miryang 50404, Republic of Korea
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: 3D Printing of Bioinspired Materials)
† These authors contributed equally
to this work. Abstract
*Corresponding author:
Woong Bi Jang Vascular diseases, including ischemic conditions and restenosis, pose significant
(jangwoongbi@naver.com) challenges in clinical practice. Restenosis, the re-narrowing of blood vessels after
Sang-Mo Kwon interventions such as stent placement, remains a major concern despite advances in
(smkwon323@pusan.ac.kr)
medical interventions. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches
Citation: Choi J, Lee EJ, Lim HJ, that promote vascular regeneration and prevent restenosis. By leveraging the
et al. Development of 3D-bioprinted capabilities of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, artificial blood vessels with
artificial blood vessels loaded
with rapamycin-nanoparticles for lumen can be precisely constructed in customizable sizes, closely mimicking the natural
ischemic repair. Int J Bioprint. vascular architecture. This approach allows for the incorporation of therapeutic agents
2024;10(2):1465. and cells to enhance the functionality of the fabricated vessels. In the present study,
doi: 10.36922/ijb.1465
we investigated the fabrication and characterization of artificial blood vessels using
Received: August 5, 2023 3D printing technology, with the focus on achieving precise control over the vessel
Accepted: October 3, 2023
Published Online: January 15, 2024 dimensions and architecture to ensure optimal functionality. The use of 3D printing
enabled the creation of patient-specific blood vessels with tailored sizes and geometries,
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). providing a personalized solution for vascular treatment. Furthermore, we explored
This is an Open Access article
distributed under the terms of the the integration of nanoparticles loaded with therapeutic drugs within the 3D-printed
Creative Commons Attribution blood vessels. Specifically, rapamycin, a potent drug for preventing restenosis, was
License, permitting distribution, encapsulated within the nanoparticles to enable controlled drug release. This approach
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is aimed to address the challenge of restenosis by delivering the drug directly to the
properly cited. affected site and maintaining its therapeutic concentration over an extended period.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience Additionally, the study investigated the incorporation of endothelial progenitor cells
Publishing remains neutral with (EPCs), which promote re-endothelialization essential for vascular regeneration and
regard to jurisdictional claims in long-term vessel functionality, within the artificial blood vessels. The 3D-printed blood
published maps and institutional
affiliations. vessels provide an ideal environment for the integration and growth of these cells,

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 349 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1465