Next-generation 3D bioprinted inner ear organoids

Background: Inner ear is crucial for maintaining normal functions of human sensory perception. However, current perceptual reconstruction is mostly limited to symptomatic relief and lacks a radical cure for irreversible damage. The development of new strategies for the fundamental treatment of inner ear diseases has become a major challenge in the biomedical field. Inner ear organoids are an emerging platform for researching inner ear diseases. This is due to their highly biomimetic properties, personalization potential, high-throughput screening capabilities and standardized production. Constructing biomimetic inner ear organoids is vital for understanding physiological mechanisms and developing new therapies. However, current approaches to inner ear organoid construction lack morphological fidelity. Consequently, hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) remain functionally immature and fail to accurately recapitulate normal inner ear physiology. It is urgent to explore the strategies for constructing highly bionic inner ear organoids. Technology: Advanced 3D bioprinting technology has the potential to enable the construction of high-fidelity inner ear organoids. Against to the existing approaches, 3D bioprinting achieves high-fidelity construction of inner ear organoids through precision spatial assembly of cell-laden bioinks. Results: This article explores the link between 3D bioprinting and inner ear organoid construction. A 3D bioprinting strategy for the construction of inner ear organoid was proposed. Thereafter, the future applications of 3D bioprinted inner ear organoid are envisioned. Eventually, the challenges and opportunities of using 3D bioprinting to build inner ear organoids were discussed.