3D-printed gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/silanated silica scaffold assisted by two-stage cooling system for hard tissue regeneration

Abstract

Among many biomaterials, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), a photocurable protein, has been widely used in 3D bioprinting process owing to its excellent cellular responses, biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, GelMA still shows a low processability due to the severe temperature dependence of viscosity. To overcome this obstacle, we propose a two-stage temperature control system to effectively control the viscosity of GelMA. To optimize the process conditions, we evaluated the temperature of the cooling system (jacket and stage). Using the established system, three GelMA scaffolds were fabricated in which different concentrations (0, 3 and 10 wt%) of silanated silica particles were embedded. To evaluate the performances of the prepared scaffolds suitable for hard tissue regeneration, we analyzed the physical (viscoelasticity, surface roughness, compressive modulus and wettability) and biological (human mesenchymal stem cells growth, western blotting and osteogenic differentiation) properties. Consequently, the composite scaffold with greater silica contents (10 wt%) showed enhanced physical and biological performances including mechanical strength, cell initial attachment, cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation compared with those of the controls. Our results indicate that the GelMA/silanated silica composite scaffold can be potentially used for hard tissue regeneration.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of a 3D printable gelatin methacrylate hydrogel for bone regeneration applications

“…Here, we have used gelatin methacrylate as the model hydrogel to study the proof‐of‐concept of perspective transition of BTE scaffolds into pre‐clinical research. GelMA has been chosen in the study as recent insights, and our previous studies indicate that GelMA can support in vitro osteogenic differentiation and calcium deposition as well as endochondral bone formation in vivo, hence supporting its potential use also in bone tissue engineering (BTE) 35–38 . Firstly we focused on optimizing the 3D printing parameters for GelMA hydrogels aiming to the standardization of the scaffold preparation.…”

“…GelMA has been chosen in the study as recent insights, and our previous studies indicate that GelMA can support in vitro osteogenic differentiation and calcium deposition as well as endochondral bone formation in vivo, hence supporting its potential use also in bone tissue engineering (BTE). [35][36][37][38] Firstly we focused on optimizing the 3D printing parameters for GelMA hydrogels aiming to the standardization of the scaffold preparation. Printing parameters were also optimized concerning an MSC-encapsulated GelMA hydrogel ink.…”

Integrated printed BDNF/collagen/chitosan scaffolds with low temperature extrusion 3D printer accelerated neural regeneration after spinal cord injury

“…3D bioprinting technology is an emerging, rapidly expanding, vigorous and most promising technology field in 3D printing technology. It is considered to be a new paradigm of tissue engineering and biomanufacturing in the 21st century, and has been increasingly used in tissue engineering [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Application Progress of Modified Chitosan and Its Composite Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering

“…Along with the rapid development of organizational engineering, 3D printing technology, an additive fabrication method, is considered to be a new paradigm of bone tissue engineering and biomanufacturing [ 77 , 78 ]. 3D printing is a process for constructing 3D physical objects from digital models mimicking a natural-like extracellular matrix through the successive layer-by-layer deposition of materials [ 66 , 79 ].…”