Triblock Copolymer Bioinks in Hydrogel 3D Printing for Regenerative Medicine - a Focus on PF127.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a novel technique applied to manufacture semi-solid or solid objects via deposition of successive thin layers. The widespread implementation of the 3D bioprinting technology encouraged scientists to evaluate its feasibility for applications in human regenerative medicine. 3D bioprinting gained much interest as a new strategy in order to prepare implantable 3D tissues or organs, tissue and organ evaluation models to test drugs, and cell/material interaction systems. The present work summarizes recent and relevant progress based on the use of hydrogels for the technology of 3D bioprinting and their emerging biomedical applications. An overview of different 3D printing techniques in addition to the nature and properties of bioinks used will be described with a focus on hydrogels as suitable bioinks for 3D printing. A comprehensive overview of triblock copolymers with emphasis on Pluronic F127 as a bioink in 3D printing for regenerative medicine will be provided. Several biomedical applications of Pluronic F127 in tissue engineering, particularly in bone and cartilage regeneration and in vascular reconstruction will be also discussed.