4D fabrication of scaffolds facilitates the construction of cholangiocyte monolayers from human and mouse liver derived organoids

The blockage and absence of bile ducts lead to liver defects, highlighting the urgent need for effective regenerative solutions. Tissue engineering has emerged as an interdisciplinary solution for repairing and regenerating damaged bile duct tissue. However, challenges such as achieving good organoid viability and morphological remodeling within scaffolds remain. In this study, surface-modified biodegradable shape memory (SMP) scaffolds were designed and fabricated to construct cell-laden 3D bile duct tubes using both human and mouse liver derived cholangiocyte organoids as cell sources. The SMP scaffolds demonstrate superb biocompatibility and good shape memory properties, which support organoid attachment and integration, enhancing cholangiocytes proliferation and monolayer formation. Our cell-laden SMP scaffolds facilitated the in vitro generation of bile duct structures, addressing key challenges in scaffold design for duct regeneration. This innovative approach opens new avenues for engineering smart scaffolds for bile duct repair and regenerative medicine.