Jeonghyun Son

All Publications

• Bioprinting of Adipose Tissue Graft with Enhanced Neo-Vessel Formation in Vivo. Advanced healthcare materials Mohamed, H. J., Jeong, W., Son, J., Kang, H. W. 2025: e2500627

  Abstract

  Adipose tissue (AT) grafts are widely used in clinical procedures including soft-tissue augmentation and post-trauma reconstruction. However, the slow vascularization of conventional AT grafts poses a challenge to their in vivo preservation. To address this challenge, an innovative AT graft is engineered using adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) spheroids to enhance blood vessel infiltration. A polycaprolactone (PCL) framework containing precisely positioned ADSC spheroids is 3D bioprinted, and mechanically dissociated fat tissue is loaded into the framework to produce AT grafts. The spheroid diameter and pattern are optimized to significantly enhance the secretion of angiogenic factors from ADSCs in vivo. During an eight-week in vivo experiment, the bioprinted and transplanted AT grafts demonstrated an impressive 8 fold increase in neo-vessel formation compared to those in conventional grafts. This heightened neovascularization is directly correlated with a substantial improvement in transplanted AT survival and a 70% reduction in fibrous tissue formation. These findings underscore the pivotal role of ADSC spheroid-mediated paracrine signaling in facilitating robust integration with the host vascular system. The novel approach significantly enhanced the long-term viability and preservation of AT grafts by promoting blood vessel infiltration, paving the way for the development of highly vascularized AT grafts for clinical applications.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.202500627

  View details for PubMedID 40509638

• Clinically Relevant and Precisely Printable Live Adipose Tissue-Based Bio-Ink for Volumetric Soft Tissue Reconstruction. Advanced healthcare materials Jeong, W., Son, J., Choi, J., Han, J., Jeon, S., Kim, M. K., Ha, W., Kang, H. W. 2024: e2402680

  Abstract

  Autologous fat is widely used in soft tissue reconstruction; however, significant volume reduction owing to necrosis and degradation of the transplanted adipose tissue (AT) remains a major challenge. To address this issue, a novel live AT micro-fragment-based bio-ink (ATmf bio-ink) compatible with precision 3D printing, is developed. Live AT micro-fragments of ≈280 µm in size are prepared using a custom tissue micronizer and they are incorporated into a fibrinogen/gelatin mixture to create the ATmf bio-ink. AT micro-fragments exhibit high viability and preserve the heterogeneous cell population and extracellular matrix of the native AT. The developed bio-ink enables precise micropatterning and provides an excellent adipo-inductive microenvironment. AT grafts produced by co-printing the bio-ink with polycaprolactone demonstrate a 500% improvement in volume retention and a 300% increase in blood vessel infiltration in vivo compared with conventional microfat grafts. In vivo engraftment of AT grafts is further enhanced by using a stem cell-laden ATmf bio-ink. Last, it is successfully demonstrated that the bio-ink is enabled for the creation of clinically relevant and patient-specific AT grafts for patients undergoing partial mastectomy. This novel ATmf bio-ink for volumetric soft tissue reconstruction offers a pioneering solution for addressing the limitations of existing clinical techniques.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.202402680

  View details for PubMedID 39466900