We describe an extrusion-based method to print a human bilayered skin using bioinks containing human plasma and primary human fibroblasts and keratinocytes from skin biopsies. We generate 100 cm2 of printed skin in less than 35 min. We analyze its structure using histological and immunohistochemical methods, both in in vitro 3D cultures and upon transplantation to immunodeficient mice. We have demonstrated that the printed skin is similar to normal human skin and indistinguishable from bilayered dermo-epidermal equivalents, previously produced manually in our laboratory and successfully used in the clinic.
Keywords: 3D bioprinting; 3D skin culture; Artificial skin; Fibrin hydrogel; Skin bioprinting; Skin equivalents; Skin tissue engineering.