Journal of Physics Conference Series · Apr 2026

A multi-scale hybrid manufacturing strategy: Integrating electrospinning with 3D bioprinting for engineered muscle constructs

By 钟双英, Shi Z, Liu Y

Abstract The functionality of skeletal muscle tissue is highly dependent on its anisotropic and highly ordered architecture. To biofabricate such tissues, this study proposes a multiscale manufacturing strategy that integrates micro- and nano-scale techniques. The strategy involves first fabricating a highly aligned poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous membrane via electrospinning to mimic the contact-guidance topological cues of the native extracellular matrix. Subsequently, a cell-laden gelatin methacryloyl/hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (GelMA/HAMA) composite hydrogel is precisely deposited as micro-scale filaments onto the aligned substrate using 3D bioprinting, forming a micro-grooved composite construct. Results demonstrate that the synergistic micro-nano topography, created by the PCL nanofibers and the cell-laden GelMA/HAMA microfibers, effectively guides cellular alignment along the fiber direction and significantly enhances myoblast differentiation and fusion. Immunofluorescence staining revealed increased expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and the formation of multinucleated myotubes. In conclusion, by integrating PCL electrospinning with GelMA/HAMA bioink printing at micro- and nano-scales, this work achieves spatially controlled fabrication of tissue structure and cell distribution, providing an effective biomimetic strategy for engineering muscle constructs with potential applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/3221/1/012057 Open access Interventions