Bioprinted in vitro tissue models: an emerging platform for developing therapeutic interventions and disease modelling

Abstract

In the past decade, the use of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology for the development of in vitro tissue models has attracted a great deal of attention. This is due to its remarkable precision in constructing different functional tissues and organs, enabling studies of their biology. In addition, this high-throughput technology has been extended to therapeutics, as it provides an alternative functional platform for rapid drug screening and disease modelling. Functional tissue models fabricated using 3D bioprinting mimic native tissues and help in the development of platforms for personalized drug screening and disease modelling due to their high throughput and ease of customization. Moreover, bioprinted 3D tissue models mimic native tissues more closely and provide added advantages over earlier conventional tissue models, such as monoculture, co-culture, explants, etc. In this context, this review article provides an overview of different bioprinted in vitro tissue models of skin, bone, neural tissue, vascular tissue, cartilage, liver and cardiac tissue. This article explores advancements and innovations in these models in terms of developing improved therapeutic interventions. Herein, we provide an insight into the development of different bioprinted tissue models for applications in drug screening and disease modelling. The needs and advantages of bioprinted tissue models as compared with conventional in vitro models are discussed. Furthermore, the different biomaterials, cell sources and bioprinting techniques used to develop tissue models are briefly reviewed. Thereafter, different bioprinted tissue models, namely skin, liver, vascular, cardiac, cartilage, bone and neural tissue, are discussed in detail with a special emphasis on drug screening and disease modelling. Finally, challenges and future prospects are highlighted and discussed. Taken together, this review highlights the different approaches and strategies used for the development of different 3D bioprinted in vitro tissue models for improved therapeutic interventions.