Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering Applications—A Review on Material Modifications

Abstract

To recreate or substitute tissue in vivo is a complicated endeavor that requires biomaterials that can mimic the natural tissue environment. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is created through covalent bonding of naturally derived polymer gelatin and methacrylic groups. Due to its biocompatibility, GelMA receives a lot of attention in the tissue engineering research field. Additionally, GelMA has versatile physical properties that allow a broad range of modifications to enhance the interaction between the material and the cells. In this review, we look at recent modifications of GelMA with naturally derived polymers, nanomaterials, and growth factors, focusing on recent developments for vascular tissue engineering and wound healing applications. Compared to polymers and nanoparticles, the modifications that embed growth factors show better mechanical properties and better cell migration, stimulating vascular development and a structure comparable to the natural-extracellular matrix.

Bioprinting of 3D Adipose Tissue Models Using a GelMA-Bioink with Human Mature Adipocytes or Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

“…There are reviews encompassing the use of GelMA for soft tissue engineering, focusing on bioprinting [ 24 ] or the adaption of GelMA by material modification [ 39 ]. Nevertheless, the summarized literature mainly focuses on wound healing applications, whereby the subdermal layer is not within focus.…”

Self-organization of Long-lasting Human Endothelial Capillary Networks guided by DLP Bioprinting

“…Briefly, a photopolymerizable mix of hydrogels, cells and photoinitiator was placed between a glass coverslip and a PDMS roof, and 26 and on published studies using endothelial cells 32 , we first explored various formulations incorporating either methacrylated gelatin (G MA ) or methacrylated type I collagen (C MA ) supplemented with fibrinogen (FG), methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HA MA ), and lithium phenyl-2,4,6 trimethyl-benzoyl phosphinate (LAP)a cytocompatible photoinitiator 33 (Fig 1B Fig S1). Indeed, G MA and C MA are photopolymerizable hydrogels produced from gelatin and collagen respectively which sustain good cell viability following encapsulation and retain natural cell-binding motifs [34][35][36] . HA MA is also a photopolymerizable hydrogel 37,38 derived from hyaluronic acid, which is found ubiquitously in native tissues and plays an important role in many cellular responses, such as cell signaling or cell proliferation.…”

Research progress in decellularized extracellular matrix hydrogels for intervertebral disc degeneration

“…GelMA is the most commonly used composite hydrogel and is characterised by the advantages of both natural and synthetic hydrogels, but these gels may also have the disadvantages of natural polymers (e.g., immunoreactivity) and synthetic polymers (e.g., poor biodegradability). 40,41 The ideal bioactive hydrogel should have a structure and composition similar to that of natural tissues, with both excellent biocompatibility and good mechanical properties. Current natural and composite hydrogels have various limitations in simulating the natural ECM environment.…”