3D-Printed Scaffold Mimicking IBD Gut Microenvironments: An In Vitro Model for Bacterial Bioink Growth.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, affects millions worldwide and is linked to altered gut microbiota. This study explored the feasibility of a 3D-bioprinting scaffold containing Lactococcus lactis using an alginate-agar-soy trypticase bioink. The bioink exhibited high water absorption and adequate rheology, enabling successful bioprinting of scaffolds with robust structures. The scaffolds remained stable for 24 hours, allowing prolonged bacterial growth. L. lactis viability was confirmed by confocal microscopy, which revealed green fluorescence indicative of live bacteria even after 8 hours of culture within the scaffold. This suggests a supportive microenvironment for bacterial survival and potential proliferation. Compared to a 2D model, the 3D scaffold increased the number of colony-forming units (CFUs), indicating a more supportive environment for L. lactis growth. Overall, this study emphasizes the potential of 3D-printed bacterial scaffolds as a platform culture to assess the factors influencing the microbiota in various diseases.