Hydrogel modification of 3D printing hybrid tracheal scaffold to construct an orthotopic transplantation

Objective: To evaluate the biological properties of modified 3D printing scaffold (PTS) and applied the hybrid graft for in situ transplantation.

Methods: PTS was prepared via 3D printing and modified by Pluronic F-127. Biocompatibility of the scaffold was examined in vitro to ascertain its benefit in attachment and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Moreover, a hybrid trachea was constructed by combining the modified PTS with decellularized matrix. Finally, two animal models of in situ transplantation were established, one for repairing tracheal local window-shape defects and the other for tracheal segmental replacement.

Results: The rough surface and chemical elements of the scaffold were improved after modification by Pluronic F-127. Results of BMSCs inoculation showed that the modified scaffold was beneficial to attachment and proliferation. The epithelial cells were seen crawling on and attaching to the patch, 30 days following prothetic surgery of the local tracheal defects. Furthermore, the advantages of the modified PTS and decellularized matrix were combined to generate a hybrid graft, which was subsequently applied to a tracheal segmental replacement model.

Conclusion: Pluronic F-127-based modification generated a PTS with excellent biocompatibility. The modified scaffold has great potential in development of future therapies for tracheal replacement and reconstruction.