iPSC bioprinting for musculoskeletal tissue

Musculoskeletal conditions, due to trauma, disease, or congenital defects, can compromise the skeletal system. The emergence of 3D bioprinting techniques alongside the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) opens the door to new opportunities in regenerative medicine for musculoskeletal conditions. During recent years the collective research outcomes have demonstrated the ability to generate disease-specific human iPSCs (hiPSCs), and to differentiate them into relevant tissues, providing opportunities for disease modeling and patient-specific drug development. Here we review the current status of using iPSCs with bioprinting techniques for fabrication and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues, and highlight major challenges and future scope. First, we consider the different protocols available for differentiating iPSCs into either of the three tissues. We then highlight studies that have used iPSCs in combination with bioprinting techniques to develop engineered constructs for musculoskeletal tissues. Finally, we provide perspective for future research at the intersection of bioprinting and iPSC differentiation, and the emerging opportunities to leverage these complementary technologies for regenerative medicine.