Bead-Jet Printing Enabled Sparse Mesenchymal Stem Cell Patterning Augments Skeletal Muscle and Hair Follicle Regeneration
December 2022
in “
Nature Communications
”
TLDR Bead-jet printing of stem cells improves muscle and hair regeneration.
The study introduces a bead-jet printing system for sparse mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) patterning, significantly enhancing skeletal muscle and hair follicle regeneration. Using Matrigel beads to encapsulate MSCs, the system improves cell retention, proliferation, and migration compared to traditional methods. High-density MSCs in sparse patterns among acellular beads provide superior therapeutic outcomes, reducing the number of MSCs needed for effective treatment. The method activates the PI3K-Akt and Wnt/β-CATENIN signaling pathways, leading to better muscle regeneration with less fibrosis and improved skin healing with increased hair follicle formation. The findings suggest that bead-jet printing of MSCs in high-density patterns can significantly enhance tissue regeneration outcomes, making it a promising approach for large-scale traumatic injury therapy.