AccScience Publishing / IJB / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/IJB025410419
REVIEW ARTICLE
Early Access

3D bioprinting in tendon/ligament-bone interface regeneration: From design innovations to performance enhancement

Ying Ji1,2† Zheng Lv3† Hongfu Jin1,2 Jiahui Chen1,2 Xin Tang1,2*
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1 Sports Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
2 Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
3 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
Received: 11 October 2025 | Accepted: 7 November 2025 | Published online: 13 November 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

The tendon/ligament–bone (T/L-B) interface represents a critical junction where tendons and ligaments anchor to bone and is characterized by a complex, graded structure. Pathological conditions caused by aging, lifestyle factors, or trauma can severely impair this interface, leading to functional deficits and a significant decline in quality of life. However, replicating the intricate structural and biological features of the native T/L-B interface remains a major challenge when conventional fabrication methods are used. In this context, 3D bioprinting has emerged as a promising tool for tissue repair and regeneration. This review aims to summarize the application of 3D bioprinting technologies in the reconstruction of the T/L-B interface. This article begins with a brief introduction to the biology of tendon/ligament-bone interfaces. It then discusses innovations in 3D printing technology, biomaterials and gradient structure design that are being applied to the regeneration of these interfaces. Simultaneously, we discuss the performance optimization of 3D bioprinted scaffolds for T/L-B interface regeneration, particularly in terms of mechanical properties and bioactivity. Finally, we summarize the challenges and future development directions facing 3D bioprinting in the field of T/L-B interface regeneration. This review provides new insights into the clinical translation of 3D bioprinted T/L-B interface constructs and may inform the future development of next-generation orthopedic implants.

Keywords
3D Bioprinting
Tendon/Ligament–Bone Interface
Tissue Engineering
Gradient Scaffold Design
Funding
This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82072514, 82272569).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing