Evaluation of Photocrosslinked Lutrol Hydrogel for Tissue Printing Applications

Abstract

Application of hydrogels in tissue engineering and innovative strategies such as organ printing, which is based on layered 3D deposition of cell-laden hydrogels, requires design of novel hydrogel matrices. Hydrogel demands for 3D printing include: 1) preservation of the printed shape after the deposition; 2) maintaining cell viability and cell function and 3) easy handling of the printed construct. In this study we analyze the applicability of a novel, photosensitive hydrogel (Lutrol) for printing of 3D structured bone grafts. We benefit from the fast temperature-responsive gelation ability of thermosensitive Lutrol-F127, ensuring organized 3D extrusion, and the additional stability provided by covalent photocrosslinking allows handling of the printed scaffolds. We studied the cytotoxicity of the hydrogel and osteogenic differentiation of embedded osteogenic progenitor cells. After photopolymerization of the modified Lutrol hydrogel, cells remain viable for up to three weeks and retain the ability to differentiate. Encapsulation of cells does not compromise the mechanical properties of the formed gels and multilayered porous Lutrol structures were successfully printed.

Standardized 3D Bioprinting of Soft Tissue Models with Human Primary Cells

“…[33][34][35] The instrument can process a variety of bioinks with light-, ionic-, or thermal-induced Dermal equivalents were printed and cultured for (C and D) 7, (E) 14, (F) 21, and (G and H) 42 days prior to seeding with human primary keratinocytes on top. The models were cultured for 5 days submerged and 14 days at the air-liquid interface.…”

Development and characterisation of a new bioink for additive tissue manufacturing

“…When focussing on extrusion printing of 3D structures, there are a number of common hydrogel formulations that hold potential for use as the so called bioink. These are based on biopolymers of natural origin such as collagen, 8 gelatine, hyaluronic acid, 9 chitosan 10 and alginate, 11 or synthetic origin such as poly(ethylene glycol) 12 and/or poly(N-hydroxypropylmethacrylacrylamide lactate). 13 Bioinks in the form of hydrogels require contrasting properties of a hydrogel material.…”

Novel hydrogels containing Nafion and poly(ethylene oxide) based block copolymers

“…This class of nanostructured gels exhibit minimal cytotoxicity and improved pharmacokinetics 15 , but they typically suffer from weak mechanical properties and rapid drug release. Well-explored approaches to overcome those challenges rely on the development of photocrosslinked 16 , stereocomplexed 17 and multicomponent 18 systems.…”