Figure 6.

Morphology of 3D-bioprinted, layered human periodontal/osteoblastic microtissue in microfluidic culture. (A) Phase-contrast, and (B) SEM images confirm the shape retention of the constructs. (C) CLM shows the homogenous distribution of the viable cells throughout the construct (after 12 h). (D) Immunofluorescence micrographs demonstrating the localization of periodontal and osteoblastic layers, and their gradual intervention after 1 day (a), 3 days (b), and 7 days (c) of microfluidic culture (top view). The blue-stained layer (containing STRO-1⁺ hPDLFs, simulating the periodontal ligament), and the red-stained layer (containing OSC⁺ hOBs, simulating the alveolar bone) are in close vicinity, and have merged in some locations. Cell densities: hPDLF-laden Gel-MA layer (4.0 × 10⁶ hPDLFs/mL gel); hOB-laden Gel-MA/HAp-MNP layer (4.0 × 10⁶ hOBs/mL gel). Scale bars = 100 μm. Separate images are given in Figure S2.