3D-printed biomaterials with regional auxetic properties

Tissue engineering is replete with methods for inducing and mediating cell differentiation, which are crucial for ensuring proper regrowth of desired tissues. In this study, we developed a 3D-printed, non-positive Poisson's Ratio (NPPR) scaffold intended for future use in stretch-mediated cell differentiation applications, such as in muscle and tendon regeneration. We utilized dynamic optical projection stereolithography (DOPsL) to fabricate multi-layered, cell-laden NPPR scaffolds - these scaffolds can not only support aggregate cell growth, but can also be printed with locally-tunable force-displacement properties at length scales appropriate for tissue interaction. These NPPR multilayered mesh scaffolds can be embedded into highly elastic hydrogels in order to couple a reduced NPPR behavior to a normally Positive Poisson's Ratio (PPR) solid bulk material. This hybrid structure may potentially enable induced 'auxetic' behavior at the single-cell scale while tuning the Poisson's Ratio to a more isolated value. This would be uniquely suited for providing stretch-mediated effects for various cell-types within the tendon-to-muscle tissue transition.