3D bioprinting meniscus tissue onboard the International Space Station

Abstract

We bioprinted meniscus tissue on the International Space Station (ISS) using the onboard BioFabrication Facility (BFF). The three dimensional (3D) printing bioink, cells, culture media and fixative were delivered to the ISS on NG-18 and SpX-27 vehicles and stored prior to the printing operation. The meniscus tissue was fabricated from ink composed of collagens type I and II, chondroitin sulfate and mesenchymal stem cells. Following printing, the meniscus tissue was cultured for 2 weeks in growth media, then stored at 4 °C and returned to earth for analysis. The print showed good overall shape fidelity, and dimensions were comparable to control meniscus tissue printed on Earth. Young's modulus of the ISS printed meniscus was approximately 4-fold lower than the control. Histologic evaluation showed good cell distribution within the print. Though logistical challenges were encountered during payload delivery to the ISS and operational challenges limited the cell culture portion of this study, this investigation demonstrated the feasibility for 3D printed musculoskeletal tissue in microgravity. The completed meniscus tissue print is the largest tissue engineered model 3D printed on the ISS to date, the first to be 3D bioprinted using an ink similar in composition to native tissue, and the first to be fabricated on the ISS in an anatomically relevant shape. These experiments help advance the field of tissue engineering in low or microgravity where 3D bioprinting may have a role in future long term space flight or extraterrestrial habitation.