Extrusion-Based Bioprinted Boron Nitride Nanotubes Reinforced Alginate Scaffolds: Mechanical, Printability and Cell Viability Evaluation

Abstract

Alginate (Alg) hydrogels are commonly used as bioinks in 3D bioprinting. However, one of the significant drawbacks of using Alg hydrogels is their unstable mechanical properties. In this study, a novel hydrogel-based ink composed of Alg reinforced with functionalised boron nitride nanotubes (f-BNNTs) was developed and systematic quantitative characterisation was conducted to validate its printability, physiochemical properties and biocompatibility. The printability, contact angle and mechanical test results indicated good structural stability of the scaffolds. The thermal stability of the scaffolds increased with the incorporation of f-BNNTs into Alg. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293T) were seeded on the scaffolds and the cell viability was recorded for 24, 48 and 72 h. Quantitative studies showed a slight effect on toxicity with a higher concentration of BNNTs in scaffolds. The results suggest that the 3D printable f-BNNTs reinforced Alg could be used as bioink for tissue engineering applications with further studies on biocompatibility.

Preparation and Characterisation of Wood Polymer Composites Using Sustainable Raw Materials

“…A significance level of the p -value of ≤0.05 was determined to be significant (*). Error bars in all figures represent the standard error of the mean [ 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

In Vitro and In Vivo Cytotoxicity of Boron Nitride Nanotubes: A Systematic Review

“…The most dominant cell types used in the included articles were human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293, HEK293T) [24,25,74,81,154], human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) [30,64,68,73,76,79,82,155], mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH/3T3) [70], human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) [31,36,48,51,55], lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) [65,156], dental pulp fibroblasts [34,41,62], lung epithelium cells (A549) [37,55,74], macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) [49,74], human liver epithelium (HeP G2) [27,28,37], human peripheral blood (NB4) [37], glioblastoma cells (malignant U87 [30,37,156], T98 [80,156]), mammary gland adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) [156], N9 murine microglia cells [50], osteoblasts [54,66,75,77], osteoblast precursor cell line derived from mouse musculus calvaria (M3CT3) [47]<...…”

“…Another very simple method is Trypan Blue assay. Trypan Blue highlights the dead cells that are easily observed under bright-field microscopy [24,25,82].…”

“…In biomedical and tissue-engineering applications, when BNNTs are functionalised with various organic and inorganic materials, non-toxicity is reported, up to dosage levels of 100 µ g•mL −1 . Thus far, some of the studies have suggested applications of BNNTs in cancer-tumour treatment [32,61,80], drug carries or drug delivery [30], radioisotope accumulation of tumours [31], MRI contrast agents [68,73], reinforcement for biomaterials to produce tissue scaffolds [53,56], orthopaedic procedures [75,77], dental procedures [41,62], bioimaging [158], and bioprinting [24,25]. Not only are there biocompatibility properties but there are also amazing piezoelectrical properties, leading some to propose BNNTs as nanotransducers for the electrical stimulation of cells [39,56].…”

“…Similarly, BNNTs combined with resin-based dental sealants showed potential materials in therapeutic procedures of dental hard tissues [34]. In another study, Kakarla et al demonstrated that BNNTs reinforced gelatine and alginate as a hydrogel to produce hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering applications [24,25].…”