3D-Printed Extracellular Matrix-Mimicking Hydrogels Derived from Multiple Tissues for Integrated Construction of Complex Organs.

Abstract

Due to the lack of suitable donors and concerns about immune rejection after transplantation, the demand for artificial organs among patients is increasing. Extracellular matrix-mimicking hydrogels provide excellent prospects for overcoming the limitations of current artificial organ construction methods. Here, a set of extracellular matrix-mimicking hydrogels derived from multiple animal tissues is described, which meets the regeneration needs of multiple tissues after xenotransplantation. Combined with 3D printing technology, multiple extracellular matrix-mimicking hydrogels are used to prepare 3D layered hybrid structures to simulate complex organs with heterogeneous composition. In this process, the corresponding extracellular matrix-mimicking hydrogels participate in organ regeneration via their unique tissue-specific components. This strategy can potentially be extended to any complex organs with heterogeneous composition, providing the possibility for the manufacture of artificial organs based on animal tissues.