3D-Printed Gelatin Methacryloyl-Based Scaffolds with Potential Application in Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The development of materials for 3D printing adapted for tissue engineering represents one of the main concerns nowadays. Our aim was to obtain suitable 3D-printed scaffolds based on methacrylated gelatin (GelMA). In this respect, three degrees of GelMA methacrylation, three different concentrations of GelMA (10%, 20%, and 30%), and also two concentrations of photoinitiator (I-2959) (0.5% and 1%) were explored to develop proper GelMA hydrogel ink formulations to be used in the 3D printing process. Afterward, all these GelMA hydrogel-based inks/3D-printed scaffolds were characterized structurally, mechanically, and morphologically. The presence of methacryloyl groups bounded to the surface of GelMA was confirmed by FTIR and 1H-NMR analyses. The methacrylation degree influenced the value of the isoelectric point that decreased with the GelMA methacrylation degree. A greater concentration of photoinitiator influenced the hydrophilicity of the polymer as proved using contact angle and swelling studies because of the new bonds resulting after the photocrosslinking stage. According to the mechanical tests, better mechanical properties were obtained in the presence of the 1% initiator. Circular dichroism analyses demonstrated that the secondary structure of gelatin remained unaffected during the methacrylation process, thus being suitable for biological applications.

Assessment of Naturally Sourced Mineral Clays for the 3D Printing of Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Inks

“…Additionally, all these samples behaved as crosslinked hydrogels with a storage modulus higher than the loss modulus (G' > G"), and had a predominantly elastic rather than viscous character, suggesting complete crosslinking, as can be seen in Figure 7. All these results are in good agreement with other studies conducted on hydrogels and GelMA hydrogels [62,[72][73][74].…”

Recent Advances in Chemically-Modified and Hybrid Carrageenan-Based Platforms for Drug Delivery, Wound Healing, and Tissue Engineering

“…According to Figure 1 A, by substituting the hydroxyl groups on κ-carrageenan with methacrylate groups, the methacrylation process occurred. The extent of the substitution of hydroxyl groups was considered equivalent to the degree of methacrylation [ 11 , 51 , 52 ]. Compared to other modification approaches, the methacrylation process provides the ability to be photocrosslinked in the presence of a chemical photoinitiator, including Irgacure 2959 [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 53 , 54 ], eosin Y [ 14 , 50 ], α-ketoglutaric acid [ 55 ], and LAP [ 56 ], under ultraviolet (UV) light [ 57 ] or even visible light [ 14 ].…”

3D Printable Composite Biomaterials Based on GelMA and Hydroxyapatite Powders Doped with Cerium Ions for Bone Tissue Regeneration

“…Moreover, owing to the target sequences for the enzymatic degradation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), gelatin also presents bioresorbability and its degradation products are biocompatible. Gelatin can be considered a biomimetic peptide as it promotes cell adhesion, prevents apoptosis and accelerates tissue regeneration [16,17].…”

“…However, the disadvantages of gelatin-based biomaterials are mainly linked to the weak mechanical properties and accelerated degradation in physiological medium [17,19,20]. Still, gelatin presents a folding structure that can be easily modified, with these drawbacks being eliminated by simple crosslinking.…”