Engineered Tissue Development in Biofabricated 3D Geometrical Confinement–A Review

Living tissue is a complex, heterogeneous structure where spatially organized ECMs present embedded cells with a variety of biochemical and mechanical signals. These signals are important to the formation of tissue structures and maintaining tissue homeostasis and physiological functions. Recent advances in biofabrication technologies have allowed the creation of 3D geometrical patterns that can guide the dynamic interaction between cells and ECM, leading to the formation of morphologically controlled engineered tissues that recapitulate the structure and function of native tissues. In this work, we first review advanced biofabrication technologies including lithography-based microfabrication and bioprinting that have been adopted to create a variety of geometrical confinements such as microgrooves and microribs, microwells, micropillar arrays, and microfibers. For each confinement type, we review geometrically guided formation and maturation of a variety of tissue types, including skeletal and cardiac muscles, epithelial tissue, endothelial tissue, and fibrous tissue. Geometrical confinements are important microenvironmental cues that can be utilized to promote the formation of biomimetic structures in engineered tissues.