Bioprinted dentin-pulp platform with decoupled mechanics promotes mineralization and vessel-like structures’ formation in confined 3D microenvironments

Abstract

Dental caries represents one of the most prevalent oral diseases worldwide, and conventional treatments rely on the use of inert restorative materials. Yet, restoration failure rates remain frequent, as current in vitro testing platforms fail to reproduce the complexity of native dental tissues. Here, we present a bioprinted dual-mechanical dentin-pulp platform generated using a methacrylated alginate (ALMA)-based biomaterial ink that can be either single or dual crosslinked (i.e. SC and DC models). These platforms, which differ in terms of stiffness and viscoelasticity, were developed to probe how biophysical cues govern cell-specific functions. When bioprinted within these matrices, HDPSCs-derived odontoblasts showed upregulation of lineage-specific markers and tissue mineralization within the DC models. In contrast, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells developed a more complex and interconnected vessel-like network within the SC constructs. By integrating both compartments within a single platform, we propose an in vitro dentin-pulp model that mimics the mechanical heterogeneity of native dental tissues.