3D bioprinting of prefabricated artificial skin with multicomponent hydrogel for skin and hair follicle regeneration

This study investigates the use of 3D bioprinting with multicomponent hydrogels, specifically a combination of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA), to create artificial skin capable of regenerating skin and hair follicles. The research involved using epidermal stem cells (Epi-SCs) and skin-derived precursors (SKPs) within the hydrogel, which demonstrated excellent printability, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. When tested in vivo on mice, the artificial skin facilitated complete wound healing and regeneration of functional tissues, including hair follicles, within 4 weeks. This approach shows significant potential for clinical applications in skin and hair follicle regeneration, although challenges remain in scaling up stem cell cultures and verifying efficacy with human cells.