Desktop-stereolithography 3D printing of a decellularized extracellular matrix/mesenchymal stem cell exosome bioink for vaginal reconstruction

Abstract Abstarct Background 3D-printing is widely used in regenerative medicine and is expected to achieve vaginal morphological restoration and true functional reconstruction.Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exos) were applyed in the regeneration of various tissues.The current study aimed to explore the effctive of MSCs-Exos in vaginal reconstruction. Results In this work, hydrogel was designed using decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and silk fibroin (SF).The biological scaffolds was constructed using desktop-stereolithography.The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated.It was observed that the sustained release property of exosomes in the hydrogel both in vitro and in vitro.The results revealed that 3D scaffold encapsulating exosomes expressed significant effects on the vascularization and musule regeneration of the regenerative vagina tissue.Also, MSCs-Exos strongly promoted vascularization in the vaginal reconstruction of rats,which may through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions Our results indicated that the 3D-printed, lumenal scaffold encapsulating exosomes might be used as a cell-free alternative treatment strategy for vaginal reconstruction.