An orthogonal differentiation platform for genomically programming stem cells, organoids, and bioprinted tissues

Abstract

Simultaneous differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into divergent cell types offers a pathway to achieving tailorable cellular complexity, patterned architecture, and function in engineered human organoids and tissues. Recent transcription factor (TF) overexpression protocols typically produce only one cell type of interest rather than the multitude of cell types and structural organization found in native human tissues. Here, we report an orthogonal differentiation platform for genomically programming stem cells, organoids and bioprinted tissues with controlled composition and organization. To demonstrate this platform, we orthogonally differentiated endothelial cells and neurons from hiPSCs in a one-pot system containing neural stem cell-specifying media. By aggregating inducible-TF and wildtype hiPSCs into pooled and multicore-shell embryoid bodies, we produced vascularized and patterned cortical organoids within days. Using multimaterial 3D bioprinting, we patterned 3D neural tissues from densely cellular, matrix-free stem cell inks that were orthogonally differentiated on demand into distinct layered regions composed of neural stem cells, endothelium, and neurons, respectively. Given the high proliferative capacity and patient-specificity of hiPSCs, our platform provides a facile route for programming cells and multicellular tissues for drug screening and therapeutic applications.