Gastroparesis (GP) is associated with depletion of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and enteric neurons, which leads to pyloric dysfunction followed by severe nausea, vomiting and delayed gastric-emptying. Regenerating these fundamental structures with stem cell therapy, would be helpful to restore gastric function in GP. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been successfully used in animal models of other gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including colitis. However, no study has been performed with these cells on GP animals. In this study, we explored if mouse MSC can be delivered from a hydrogel-scaffold to the luminal surfaces of GP mice stomach. Mouse MSC was seeded atop alginate-gelatin, coated with poly-L-lysine. These cell-gel constructs were placed atop stomach explants facing the luminal side. MSC grew uniformly all across the gel surface within 48 hr. When placed atop the lumen of the stomach, MSC migrated from the gels to the tissues as confirmed by positive staining with Vimentin and N-cadherin. The feasibility of transplanting a cell-gel construct to deliver stem cells in the stomach wall was successfully shown in a mice GP model, thereby making a significant advance towards envisioning the transplantation of an entire tissue-engineered ‘gastric patch’ or ‘microgels’ with stem cells, and growth factors.

3D bioprinting holds great promise in the field of regenerative medicine as it can create complex structures in a layer-by-layer manner using cell-laden bioinks, making it possible to imitate native tissues. Current bioinks lack both the high printability and the biocompatibility required in this respect. Hence, the development of bioinks that are capable of both properties is needed. In our previous study, a furfuryl-gelatin based bioink, crosslinkable by visible light, was used for creating mouse mesenchymal stem cell-laden structures with high fidelity. In this study, lattice mesh geometries were printed in a comparative study to test against the properties of a traditional rectangular-sheet. After 3D printing and crosslinking, both structures were analysed for swelling and rheological properties, and their porosity estimated using scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the lattice structure was relatively more porous but sturdy and exhibited a lower degradation rate compared to the rectangular-sheet. Further, the lattice allowed encapsulation of a greater number of cells, allowing them to proliferate to a greater extent compared to the rectangular-sheet that retained a lesser number of cells initially. All of these results collectively affirmed that the lattice poses as a superior scaffold design for tissue engineering applications.