Development and Characterization of Complementary Polymer Network Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting of Soft Tissue Constructs

Abstract

The development of 3D bioprinting has been hindered by a narrow "biofabrication window" with a limited variety of feasible bioinks which are compatible with both high printability and well cytocompatibility. Herein, a generalizable strategy using complementary polymer network (CPN) bioinks is developed in the current study, to address the conflict between the printability and cytocompatibility of bioinks in extrusion 3D bioprinting, especially for the manufacture of soft tissue constructs. In this strategy, CPN bioinks are formed though mixing two interpenetrated polymer networks, one of which is a photocrosslinkable polymer network, and the other is a dynamic polymer network crosslinked by reversible covalent linkage, thereby endowed with well reversible thixotropy. Compatible with well printability, shape fidelity, and cytocompatibility, the utilization of CPN bioinks provides a viable solution for extrusion 3D bioprinting of photocrosslinkable biomaterials at a low concentration, thus suitable for soft tissue construct fabrication. Briefly, this study is testified to be a successful attempt to extend the bioink diversity within the "biofabrication window," and offers a novel insight into designing more feasible bioinks based on their special rheological properties, for further tissue engineering and biomedicine application.

3D embedded bioprinting of large-scale intestine with complex structural organization and blood capillaries

“…By the reaction of N-(2-Aminoethyl) methacrylamide hydrochloride (AEMA) monomers with hydroxyl groups in Alg, new resonance peaks of MA (5.0-6.5 ppm) were found in the 1 H NMR spectrum of AlgMA (figure S2), suggesting the covalent coupling between Alg and AEMA. As seen in figure S3, the bioink doped with 1% AlgMA has high zero shear viscosity and large viscosity drop, demonstrating a magnified shear-thinning behavior and an improved printability of GelMA-AlgMA bioink [27]. Therefore, the addition of AlgMA increased the viscosity of the bioink, facilitating the continuous extrusion of printing microfilaments.…”

Advancements in 3D‐printed artificial tendon

“…30 Soft tissue bioinks commonly incorporate materials like gelatin, alginate, or fibrin, which provide a suitable environment for cell growth and mimic the extracellular matrix of soft tissues (Figure 4). 31…”

“…40 These materials possess exceptional mechanical and chemical-physical properties 27 and are structurally uncomplicated, 30 allowing for various forms to be adapted to meet the varying needs of patients. 31 One of the challenges associated with synthetic scaffolds is the potential for generating an immune response, as well as the risk of degradation components leading to unwanted host responses. 44,47,48 However, composite scaffolds have emerged as a common and promising alternative, as they blend both biological and synthetic materials to maximize the advantages of each.…”

“…synthetic scaffolds are composed of newly engineered materials like poly (alpha‐hydroxy esters), PLGA, PGA, among others 40 . These materials possess exceptional mechanical and chemical–physical properties 27 and are structurally uncomplicated, 30 allowing for various forms to be adapted to meet the varying needs of patients 31 …”

A Novel 3D‐Printed Bi‐Layer Cranial‐Brain Patch Promotes Brain Injury Repair and Bone Tissue Regeneration

“…The viscosity of the ink greatly affects the setting of printing parameters. [43,44] Therefore, we increased the UV exposure time and irradiation intensity to improve the structural resolution when printing 10% SFMA ink. In addition, to enhance material exchange between cells, we printed SFMA ink into a large mesh structure as the second layer of the patch.…”