Development of a 3D cell-printed RVO model by advancing a retina-on-a-chip with hybrid retinal dECM bioink and an integrated 3D bioprinting system

This work presents an integrated 3D bioprinting platform for fabricating a retina-on-a-chip and a retinal vein occlusion (RVO) disease model using hybrid retinal-derived and vascular tissue-derived decellularized ECM bioinks. Triple-coaxial printing generated perfusable microvessels with inner endothelial and outer pericyte layers, reconstituting the blood–retina barrier and enabling controlled perfusion. The RVO model simulated stenotic vascular morphology by modulating printing speed and LDL perfusion, mimicking ischemia, macrophage accumulation, and BRB breakdown. Pharmacological validation demonstrated clinically relevant responses to aspirin (preventive) and to dexamethasone and bevacizumab (therapeutic), highlighting its utility as a human-relevant drug-testing platform for retinal vascular diseases.