Issue 39, 2023

Fabrication of 3D printed PCL/PEG artificial bile ducts as supportive scaffolds to promote regeneration of extrahepatic bile ducts in a canine biliary defect model

Abstract

In this study, a 3D porous poly(ε-caprolactone)/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) composite artificial tubular bile duct was fabricated for extrahepatic bile duct regeneration. PCL/PEG composite scaffolds were fabricated by 3D printing, and the molecular structure, mechanical properties, thermal properties, morphology, and in vitro biocompatibility were characterized for further application as artificial bile ducts. A bile duct defect model was established in beagle dogs for in vivo implantation. The results demonstrated that the implanted PE1 ABD, serving as a supportive scaffold, effectively stimulated the regeneration of a new bile duct comprising CK19-positive and CK7-positive epithelial cells within 30 days. Remarkably, after 8 months, the newly formed bile duct exhibited an epithelial layer resembling the normal structure. Furthermore, the study revealed collagen deposition, biliary muscular formation, and the involvement of microvessels and fibroblasts in the regenerative process. In contrast, the anastomotic area without ABD implantation displayed only partial restoration of the epithelial layer, accompanied by fibroblast proliferation and subsequent bile duct fibrosis. These findings underscore the limited inherent repair capacity of the bile duct and underscore the beneficial role of the PE1 ABD artificial tubular bile duct in promoting biliary regeneration.

Graphical abstract: Fabrication of 3D printed PCL/PEG artificial bile ducts as supportive scaffolds to promote regeneration of extrahepatic bile ducts in a canine biliary defect model

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
31 5 2023
Accepted
29 8 2023
First published
31 8 2023

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023,11, 9443-9458

Fabrication of 3D printed PCL/PEG artificial bile ducts as supportive scaffolds to promote regeneration of extrahepatic bile ducts in a canine biliary defect model

Y. Cai, F. Nan, G. Tang, Y. Ma, Y. Ren, X. Xiong, R. Zhou, F. Li, N. Cheng and X. Jiang, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023, 11, 9443 DOI: 10.1039/D3TB01250F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements