Engineering biomimetic 3D printed urethral tissue constructs using elastin-based bioinks for urethroplasty

The research plan focuses on engineering highly elastic, biomimetic, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted multi-layered urethral tissue constructs. This involves combining novel bioinks, made of a human protein (methacrylate human recombinant tropoelastin, MeTro) and decellularized matrix (bladder decellularized matrix, BAM), with an innovative 3D bioprinting strategy. Key design requirements include achieving target elasticity by layer in a suturable construct, incorporating critical biological cues to enhance wound healing and vascularization, and applying a 3D bioprinting technique to create optimized properties by layer with a recapitulation of the native urethral layered structure. Aim 1 involves engineering MeTro and BAM bioinks with mechanical and structural properties mimicking native urethral tissue, then 3D bioprinting cell-laden bi-layered patch constructs containing urothelium and smooth muscle cells. Aim 2 will evaluate the in vivo efficacy of these engineered constructs in a rat patch urethroplasty model, investigating biologic and functional outcome parameters.