Title：Reverse Reconstruction and Bioprinting of Bacterial Cellulose-Based Functional Total Intervertebral Disc for Therapeutic Implantation
Authors：Junchuan Yang, Le Wang, Wei Zhang, Zhen Sun, Ying Li, Mingzhu Yang, Di Zeng, Baogan Peng, Wenfu Zheng,* Xingyu Jiang,* and Guang Yang*
Abstract：The degradation of intervertebral discs (IVD), a typical hierarchical structured tissue, causes serious neck and back pain. The current methods cannot fullyreconstitute the unique structure and function of native IVD. In this study, by reverse reconstruction of the structure of native IVD and bioprinting bacterial
cellulose (BC) nanofibers with a high-throughput optimized micropattern screening microchip, a total IVD is created that contained type II collagenbased
nucleus pulposus (NP) and hierarchically organized and micropatterned BC-based annulus fibrosus (AF), mimicking native IVD tissue. The artificial NP contains rat NP cells, whereas the AF contains concentrically arranged BC layers with aligned micropatterns and attached AF cells in +/−30° alternate directions between adjacent layers. Long-term (3 months) implantation experiments on rats demonstrate the excellent structural (shape maintenance, hydration, tissue integration) and functional (mechanical support and flexibility) performance of the artificial IVD. This study provides a novel strategy for creating highly sophisticated artificial tissues。
Journal：small
DOI:10.1002/small.201702582