Advancing Cartilage Tissue Engineering: A Review of 3D Bioprinting Approaches and Bioink Properties.

Abstract

Articular cartilage is crucial in human physiology, and its degeneration poses a significant public health challenge. While recent advancements in 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering show promise for cartilage regeneration, there remains a gap between research findings and clinical application. This review critically examines the mechanical and biological properties of hyaline cartilage, along with current 3D manufacturing methods and analysis techniques. Moreover, we provide a quantitative synthesis of bioink properties used in cartilage tissue engineering. After screening 181 initial works, 33 studies using extrusion bioprinting were analyzed and synthesized, presenting results that indicate the main materials, cells, and methods utilized for mechanical and biological evaluation. Altogether, this review motivates the standardization of mechanical analyses and biomaterial assessments of 3D bioprinted constructs to clarify their chondrogenic potential. Impact Statement Three-dimensional bioprinting has emerged as a promising technique in the field of cartilage tissue engineering (CTE). Despite decades of progress in CTE research, there are existing gaps between literature and clinical practice. This review provides insights into available hydrogels for 3D cartilage bioprinting by emphasizing essential mechanical properties and providing a detailed synthesis of key biological evaluation methods.