Tubular tissue construct and a method of printing

Abstract

A 3D printed tubular construct, such as a nephron, with or without embedded vasculature as well as methods of printing tubular tissue constructs are described.

1 .- 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A 3D printed nephron comprising:
 one or more functional channels comprising a patterned cell layer thereon along the length of the functional channel, wherein the patterned cell layer comprises
 renal proximal tubule cells over a first predetermined length of the one or more functional channels, 
 loop of Henle cells over a second predetermined length of the one or more functional channels, and 
 renal distal tubule cells over a third predetermined length of the one or more functional channels; and 
   an extracellular matrix composition at least partially surrounding the one or more functional channels.   
     
     
         60 . The 3D printed nephron of  claim 59 , further comprising one or more tissue patterns, each tissue pattern comprising a plurality of viable cells of one or more predetermined cell types, wherein the extracellular matrix composition at least partially surrounds the one or more tissue patterns. 
     
     
         61 . The 3D printed nephron of  claim 59 , further comprising an interpenetrating network of tubes in the extracellular matrix composition. 
     
     
         62 . The 3D printed nephron of  claim 61 , wherein the interpenetrating network of tubes comprises a vascular pattern interpenetrating the functional channels. 
     
     
         63 .- 93 . (canceled) 
     
     
         94 . The 3D printed nephron of  claim 59 , wherein the extracellular matrix composition comprises one or more of gelatin, fibrin, gelatin methacrylate, collagen I, collagen III, collagen IV, fibrinogen, matrigel, laminin, carbopol, N-isopropylacrylamide, polyethylene glycol, gelatin methacrylate, polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, silk, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, and/or combinations thereof.