Bioprinting of Collagen: Considerations, Potentials, and Applications

Macromol Biosci. 2021 Jan;21(1):e2000280. doi: 10.1002/mabi.202000280. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Abstract

Collagen is the most abundant extracellular matrix protein that is widely used in tissue engineering (TE). There is little research done on printing pure collagen. To understand the bottlenecks in printing pure collagen, it is imperative to understand collagen from a bottom-up approach. Here it is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of collagen printing, where collagen assembly in vivo and the various sources of collagen available for TE application are first understood. Next, the current printing technologies and strategy for printing collagen-based materials are highlighted. Considerations and key challenges faced in collagen printing are identified. Finally, the key research areas that would enhance the functionality of printed collagen are presented.

Keywords: 3D bioprinting; 3D printing; additive manufacturing; biofabrication; collagen hydrogel; tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bioprinting*
  • Collagen / chemistry*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Tissue Engineering*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry

Substances

  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Collagen