Johanna Vetter (Darmstadt, DE), Anna Fritschen (Darmstadt, DE), Sebastian Scholpp (Darmstadt, DE), Mariana Acedo Mestre (Darmstadt, DE), Prof. Dr. Andreas Blaeser (Darmstadt, DE)
Abstract text (incl. figure legends and references)
Two-Photon-Stereolithography (TPS) is a high resolution 3D-printing methods that enables the fabrication of miniaturized constructs with micro- to nanometer sized features. Recent progress in material development enabled the application of cytocompatible resins that can be used to generate biosynthetic cell-material interfaces with controllable microstructural properties.
The aim of this work was to investigate the general performance of the process and its potential to generate cell-culture supporting and cell-interactive 3D-structures.
To study the general performance of the TPS system the minimal achievable feature and void sizes and biocompatibility were accessed for two different resin materials (methacrylate based polymers). Next, to demonstrate the broad applicability of the technology, three different biosynthetic and cell-interactive microstructures were generated: capillary vessel mimicking tubes, cell-entrapping self-folding carpets, and multicellular spheroid-wrapping cages.
Capillary vessel mimicking tubes (10 µm to 2 mm in diameter) could fabricated. To allow biosynthetic interaction with the surrounding matrix, micropores (1-50 µm in diameter) that promote the permeability of biomolecules were integrated. Diffusion of FITC-labeled dextran into an aqueous environment as well as into surrounding hydrogel matrices could be confirmed. Next, cell-entrapping, self-folding thin sheets (5 µm) were fabricated and seeded with cells. By applying a temperature gradient, folding of the sheets into tubular structures (40 - 60 µm ID) that entrapped the cells could be initiated. Ultimately, spherical cages (300 µm OD) with integrated capillary tubes were generated and used for the cultivation of cell-spheroids.
The results of this work demonstrate the general strength of TPS for the fabrication of biosynthetic and cell-interactive microstructures. The broad applicability holds great promise for future research in tissue engineering and synthetic biology.