Page 278 - IJB-9-2

International Journal of Bioprinting Bioprinting of β-islet-like constructs

pancreatic islets recovered from human recipients [184] . The collections from other works. Furthermore, the collection
resulting scar formation on the surface of the construct and standardization of publicly available bioprinting data
may inhibit vasculogenesis and thus oxygen and metabolite can facilitate the optimal printing of the right hydrogels,
removal from the 3D-bioprinted pancreas, which may the right cells, and if necessary, their topography within the
lead to limited or loss of function. In most cases, the size 3D object. This is particularly true for the vasculature and
of the 3D-bioprinted pancreas was sufficient for testing it its design in pancreas models. Nevertheless, it seems that
in small animal models at most. It is questionable to what machine learning can be one of the keys to overcoming
extent, from a good manufacturing practice (GMP) point the mentioned restrictions as well as improving the future
of view, scale-up in the human context requires different development of 3D bioprinting while reducing the risk of
approaches and different solutions. Finally, it should be errors, automating the whole process, and fine-tunning the
noted that all 3D-bioprinted structures so far lack nerve bioprinting parameters of functional pancreatic islet-like
fibers. Since sympathetic innervation during development constructs for diabetic treatment [185–187] .
is necessary for pancreatic islet functional maturation,
the long-term, adequate functionality of the bioprinted Acknowledgments
constructs becomes a matter of concern. The authors would like to acknowledge Enago, Crimson

8. Conclusion and outlook Interactive Inc. for critical reading and English editing of
the manuscript.
A reliable and accessible source of autogenic or allogeneic
tissues or cells of functional β-cell origin is the foremost Funding
prerequisite for fabricating the ideal bioartificial pancreas This work was supported by the National Research,
that can be used in the clinical settings. Secondly, an Development, and Innovation Office (NKFI PD 132570 to
optimal microenvironment must be created by printable Zoltán Veréb). Zoltán Veréb was supported by the Bolyai
and cell-compatible bioinks that can strengthen blood János Postdoctoral Fellowship (BO/00190/20/5) and the
vessels and ensure efficient transport for adequate oxygen ÚNKP-21-5 Bolyai+ Fellowship (ÚNKP-21-5-SZTE-169)
and nutrient availability, glucose detection, and insulin- financed by the New National Excellence Program of
releasing pathway while ultimately providing immune the Hungarian Ministry for Innovation and Technology
protection to transplanted construct. Hydrogels, which from the source of the National Research Development
are able to mimic the original soft tissue environment, and Innovation Fund. Project no. TKP2021-EGA-28
are the best option. The modifications of biopolymers and TKP2021-EGA-32 have been implemented with
by angiogenic molecules, immunosuppressant agents, the support provided by the Ministry of Innovation and
and growth factors are applied to retain the functionality Technology of Hungary from the National Research,
and increase the survival of encapsulated pancreatic Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the
islets. This is an effective method for producing organ- TKP2021-EGA funding scheme. The funders had no
on-a-chip models for studying endocrine hormones in a role in study design, data collection, analysis, publishing
glucose-dependent environment and screening therapies decisions, or manuscript preparation.
for diabetes and pancreatic cancer treatment. However,
more optimization of the insulin-producing β-like cell
sources, scaffold materials, accompanying supporting cells, Conflict of interest
biofabrication techniques, vascularization engagement, and The authors declare no conflicts of interests.
transplantation sites is required for scaling up the recent
models for human clinical transplantation. The use of Author contributions
artificial intelligence (AI) in 3D printing can bring in many
benefits. In oncological diagnostics and research, especially Conceptualization: Shahram Parvaneh, Reza Yarani, Zoltán
in morphological studies, AI plays a key role, including in Veréb
the identification and differentiation of tumor cells, tumor Funding acquisition: Zoltán Veréb
types, and different stages of progression. In analogy, data Investigation: Shahram Parvaneh, Ameneh Ghaffarinia
collected from healthy pancreas (computed tomography Methodology: Shahram Parvaneh
and magnetic resonance imaging data, anatomical Supervision: Zoltán Veréb
sections, etc.) allows for a faster, more comprehensive Visualization: Ameneh Ghaffarinia
understanding of the 3D structure of the organ. In the field Writing – original draft: Shahram Parvaneh
of personalized medicine, AI can help optimize the 3D Writing – review & editing: Lajos Kemény, Reza Yarani,
object before printing based on these personal data and data Zoltán Veréb

Volume 9 Issue 2 (2023) 270 http://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.v9i2.665