Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology and Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden have successfully used 3D printing to produce human cartilage cells capable of living and growing in mice. This development, announced in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, may be able to one day provide patients with body parts through 3D printing.

Using a 3D printer produced by Celllink, researchers printed a mix of nanocellulose and human cartilage cells. This mix was implanted in mice and was able to grow human cartilage tissue, form blood vessels and show strong stimulation of proliferation and neocartilage formation by human stem cells.

"This is the first time anyone has printed human-derived cartilage cells, implanted them in an animal model and induced them to grow," said Paul Gatenholm, professor of biopolymer technology at Chalmers University of Technology. "We now have proof that the 3D-printed hydrogel with cells can be implanted. It grows in mice and, in addition, blood vessels have formed in it.”

After 60 days of growth, the cells begin to show a resemblance to human cartilage. The cells are able to act as normal human cells. Cell division is furthered by adding stem cells.

"With what we have done, the research has taken a step forward towards someday, we hope, being able to bioprint cells that become body parts for patients,” said Gatenholm. “This is how you have to work when it comes to this kind of pioneering activity: one small step at a time. Our results are not a revolution—but they are a gratifying part of an evolution!"