Acetylated Nanocellulose for Single-Component Bioinks and Cell Proliferation on 3D-Printed Scaffolds

Abstract

Nanocellulose has been demonstrated as a suitable material for cell culturing, given its similarity to extracellular matrices. Taking advantage of the shear thinning behavior, nanocellulose suits three-dimensional (3D) printing into scaffolds that support cell attachment and proliferation. Here, we propose aqueous suspensions of acetylated nanocellulose of a low degree of substitution for direct ink writing (DIW). This benefits from the heterogeneous acetylation of precursor cellulosic fibers, which eases their deconstruction and confers the characteristics required for extrusion in DIW. Accordingly, the morphology of related 3D-printed architectures and their performance during drying and rewetting as well as interactions with living cells are compared with those produced from typical unmodified and TEMPO-oxidized nanocelluloses. We find that a significantly lower concentration of acetylated nanofibrils is needed to obtain bioinks of similar performance, affording more porous structures. Together with their high surface charge and axial aspect, acetylated nanocellulose produces dimensionally stable monolithic scaffolds that support drying and rewetting, required for packaging and sterilization. Considering their potential uses in cardiac devices, we discuss the interactions of the scaffolds with cardiac myoblast cells. Attachment, proliferation, and viability for 21 days are demonstrated. Overall, the performance of acetylated nanocellulose bioinks opens the possibility for reliable and scale-up fabrication of scaffolds appropriate for studies on cellular processes and for tissue engineering.

High performance crystalline nanocellulose using an ancestral endoglucanase

“…4a), we concentrated EnCNC suspension at 10 wt% and printed a piece resembling a human ear that holds shape fidelity (Fig. 4b), EnCNC showed similar printability as modified CNFs alone 37 . We also printed a scaffold for cell growth using only EnCNC as ink (Fig.…”

Recent advances in 3D printing of nanocellulose: structure, preparation, and application prospects

“…176 In more relevance, numerous authors have employed this technique to bioprint nanocellulose for implants and cell scaffolds. 177,178 Wang and her co-workers have utilized polylactic acid (PLA) filled with nanocellulose and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as filament for FDM printing. 180 The inclusion of nanocellulose has improved the thermal stability, mechanical strength of the PLA composite filament, and provided synergistic effect with PEG on the crystallization rate with semi-crystallization time shortened from 12.2 min at 120 o C for pure PLA filament to 1.5 min at 100 o C for nanocellulose-incorporated PLA/PEG composite that is used as filament in FDM printing.…”

“…Considering the biocompatibility, 222 biodegradability and nontoxicity, 223 the use of nanocellulose in 3D printing or bioprinting is desirable for applications in the biomedical field, encompassing cell scaffolds, tissue engineering and wound dressing. 177,224,225 Many hydrogel bioinks formulated for bioprinting robust architecture are mechanically weak with poor cross-linking in the network. 226 Various gels and inks that are based on nanocellulose have been prepared and reported, exhibiting great viscoelasticity and conductivity.…”

Cellulose Bio–ink on 3D Printing Applications

“…This advancement was not until the late stages of the 19 th century and fast-tracked in the 20 th century. 43 A 3D printer can be deposit skin layers covering large parts of the wound or affected area, then the Bio-ink of the 3D printer fast tracks the healing process of the injury. Here, MSCs cells that promote skin regeneration and growth and, at the same time, reducing scarring of the skin.…”