Speaker
Description
The basement membrane (BM) is a crucial extracellular matrix that provides structural support, regulates cell adhesion and migration, and influences cell behavior in various organs. Composed of proteins like collagen and laminin, it plays essential roles in tissue development, repair, and homeostasis. Disruptions in the BM are linked to diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. However, its complex structure makes it challenging to replicate in vitro for organ modeling.
To address this, we developed a thin membrane printing technology to fabricate BM-mimetic substrates. The system composed of precisely controlled temperature environment facilitated not only the crosslinking of the hydrogel but also vitrification to form the thin membrane. This approach allows precise control over the physical and biochemical properties of the membrane, enabling the creation of custom, micro-scale substrates. We used Bruch’s membrane (BrM)-derived bioink to fabricate a BrM-mimetic substrate, which was then used to develop a human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) model.
The RPE model grown on the BrM-mimetic substrate showed enhanced cellular morphology, polarity, and differentiation compared to conventional tissue culture systems, suggesting a more accurate in vitro representation of the retinal environment. This model provides a valuable tool for studying retinal diseases and testing therapies.
In conclusion, our thin membrane printing technology enables the creation of BM-mimetic substrates that better replicate the native tissue environment, improving in vitro organ models for biomedical research and therapeutic development.
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