3D Bioprinting of Kidney Tissue Using a Photocrosslinkable Hydrogel Derived from Decellularized Extracellular Matrix

Abstract

Three-dimensional bioprinting has emerged as a promising strategy in tissue engineering, aiming to fabricate functional tissue constructs for organ regeneration. A critical challenge in this field is the development of organ-specific bioinks that can provide a microenvironment conducive to cellular growth and differentiation. In this study, we successfully developed a photocrosslinkable bioink by methacrylating decellularized porcine kidney extracellular matrix. The decellularization process effectively removed all cellular components while preserving the native kidney extracellular matrix composition. The resulting methacrylated decellularized extracellular matrix bioink exhibited optimal rheological properties, making it well-suited for digital light processing based stereolithography and piston-driven extrusion bioprinting. Human embryonic kidney cells encapsulated in the bioink showed high viability and a strong proliferative capacity, indicating potential for tissue-specific maturation over time. This work demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing kidney-specific decellularized extracellular matrix-based bioinks, providing a platform for engineering renal tissue constructs for therapeutic applications.