Generic optimization procedure for high-resolution printing by stereolithography of 3D scaffolds compatible for cell culture applied to a small intestinal architecture
Abstract
Stereolithography is now widely used in tissue engineering since it allows fine-tuning of geometry and mechanical properties to mimic the topography of tissues. However, most published studies do not detail the optimization protocols that have been used to obtain these structures. Here, we developed a generic process to print photosensitive biomaterial formulations by stereolithography to obtain a specific topography. Using the small intestine architecture as a model combining filled villi and hollow crypts, we identify key parameters that govern both printing resolution and cellular behavior. Moreover, we highlight the impact of absence of oxygen inhibition and light penetration depth in cavities, causing partially crosslinked material within crypts. This issue was resolved by adding tartrazine, a biocompatible photoabsorber that restricts crosslinking depth. Our stereolithography process allows the fabrication of intestinal models with a high precision level and the reproduction of crypt and villi structures with physiologic dimensions and high structural integrity. We show that Caco-2 cells adhere, colonize, polarize and differentiate on the printed scaffolds over 20 d of culture. The developed models could subsequently be adapted to support intestinal organoid growth and be integrated in microfluidic chips to implement mechanical and biochemical cues, representing a more physiological model with accurate dimensions to study intestinal diseases. Overall, this study provides a transferable framework for optimizing stereolithographic printing of hydrogel-based topographies allowing precise control of substrate properties for tissue engineering.
Related
- Campylobacter jejuni Infection Is Associated With Cell-Cycle, Redox, and Metabolic Remodeling of Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells at Single-Cell Resolution
- Planar cell polarity aligns epithelial migration to coordinate intestinal architecture and functional zonation
- Nano-formulated humic acid modulates growth, antioxidant status, and intestinal architecture in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
- GAMETE maps the genetic architecture of chromatin accessibility in rice pollen at single-nucleus resolution.
- Characterization of stereolithography 3D-printed chips with different resins and post-treatments for the culture of hiPSC-derived motor neurons
BibTeX
@article{ponthier2026generic,
title = {{Generic optimization procedure for high-resolution printing by stereolithography of 3D scaffolds compatible for cell culture applied to a small intestinal architecture}},
author = {Elise Ponthier and Lucien Guth and Sandra Pérez-Domínguez and Julie Foncy and Daniel Ferri-Angulo and Arnaud Besson and Laurent Malaquin},
journal = {Biofabrication},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1088/1758-5090/ae7c36},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05848766v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Generic optimization procedure for high-resolution printing by stereolithography of 3D scaffolds compatible for cell culture applied to a small intestinal architecture
AU - Elise Ponthier
AU - Lucien Guth
AU - Sandra Pérez-Domínguez
AU - Julie Foncy
AU - Daniel Ferri-Angulo
AU - Arnaud Besson
AU - Laurent Malaquin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/29
JO - Biofabrication
DO - 10.1088/1758-5090/ae7c36
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05848766v1
AB - Stereolithography is now widely used in tissue engineering since it allows fine-tuning of geometry and mechanical properties to mimic the topography of tissues. However, most published studies do not detail the optimization protocols that have been used to obtain these structures. Here, we developed a generic process to print photosensitive biomaterial formulations by stereolithography to obtain a specific topography. Using the small intestine architecture as a model combining filled villi and hollow crypts, we identify key parameters that govern both printing resolution and cellular behavior. Moreover, we highlight the impact of absence of oxygen inhibition and light penetration depth in cavities, causing partially crosslinked material within crypts. This issue was resolved by adding tartrazine, a biocompatible photoabsorber that restricts crosslinking depth. Our stereolithography process allows the fabrication of intestinal models with a high precision level and the reproduction of crypt and villi structures with physiologic dimensions and high structural integrity. We show that Caco-2 cells adhere, colonize, polarize and differentiate on the printed scaffolds over 20 d of culture. The developed models could subsequently be adapted to support intestinal organoid growth and be integrated in microfluidic chips to implement mechanical and biochemical cues, representing a more physiological model with accurate dimensions to study intestinal diseases. Overall, this study provides a transferable framework for optimizing stereolithographic printing of hydrogel-based topographies allowing precise control of substrate properties for tissue engineering.
SN - 1758-5082
SN - 1758-5090
ER -