Comparison of the Behavior of 3D-Printed Endothelial Cells in Different Bioinks

This study compares the biological behavior and mechanical properties of endothelial cells cultured as three-dimensional printed hydrogel constructs versus conventional spheroid configurations. By integrating metabolic profiling, morphological assessment, and microscale mechanical testing, the authors demonstrate that fabrication method significantly influences construct stiffness, cellular organization, and metabolic phenotype. The results show that 3D-printed endothelial hydrogels exhibit distinct mechanical environments compared to spheroids, which in turn affect endothelial cell behavior and functional stability. These findings highlight the importance of mechanically informed biofabrication strategies for vascular tissue engineering and tissue-mimetic model development.