3D printing and bioprinting for miniaturized and scalable hanging-drop organoids culture

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems rely on the manipulation of a biologically derived matrix, typically soluble Basement Membrane Extract (sBME), in which cells or cellular aggregates, such as organoids, are suspended. This matrix provides mechanobiological support, promoting cellular processes. However, the handling of sBME-based matrices containing cellular constructs poses significant challenges due to their rheological properties. We developed an integrated bioprinting system to surpass the conventional pipetting, seeding and culture in multiwell plates. The system combines a fluidic cartridge with innovative 3D-printed biocompatible culture tools designed to host and preserve high-throughput microcultures of Patient-Derived Organoids (PDOs) in sBME. The miniaturized hanging-drop configuration enables extended culture periods and high-throughput imaging screenings. This comprehensive approach overcomes common issues associated with sBME, including sedimentation of cellular aggregates, premature gelation, and structural collapse, which negatively impact culture quality and reproducibility throughout the entire 3D culture workflow, from seeding to culture maintenance, and post-culture analyses. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=133 SRC="FIGDIR/small/678315v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (24K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19f976eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8eeefcorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ebe6c7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7c4403_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Highlights- Miniaturized 3D hanging-drop matrix-embedded organoid culture in a 384-well plate - Custom cartridge enables homogeneous bioprinting of organoids in sBME-based matrix - 3D-printed tools support compact, scalable multiwell culture systems - System suited for miniaturized culture organoids for high-throughput drug screening - Scalable miniaturized culture system for extended periods of time