Photo-activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-based patient-specific bio-ink for cartilage tissue engineering

Abstract

Nowadays, scientists focus on the development of tissue-specific and personalized bio-ink that can be used in 3D bioprinting technologies. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a person-specific source that is used as a therapeutic adjunct for the treatment of cartilage damage because it offers a cocktail of growth factors that are necessary for wound healing and tissue regeneration. However, PRP treatments in the clinic are not satisfactory and require upgrading, especially the point of maintaining bioactivity. In this study, we presented PRP as a photo-activated and photo-crosslinkable bio-ink in terms of tissue-specific structures for the first time. We achieved long-term and constant rate growth factor release and bioactivity protection of PRP with satisfactory mechanical characteristics. Photo-crosslinked PRP hydrogel was enabled by the addition of microwave-induced methacrylated gelatin (Gel-MA), which is connected to platelets in PRP via integrin receptors in its structure and chemically cross-linked upon UV irradiation (300–500 nm). Photo-activation of PRP was realized by a polychromatic light source in the near-infrared region (PAC, 600–1200 nm). Our results showed that Gel-MA/PRP hydrogels with the desired mechanical properties (low degradation rate and high mechanical strength) released growth factors at a constant rate for the long-term by the periodic PAC application. In vitro cell culture studies (viability, proliferation, morphology, histology, immunochemistry, biochemistry, gene expression analyses) proved that proliferation and differentiation of the ATDC5 cells increased in the periodically light-applied Gel-MA/PRP hydrogel without any external chemical agents.

Human Salivary Histatin-1-Functionalized Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogels Promote the Regeneration of Cartilage and Subchondral Bone in Temporomandibular Joints

“…Albeit so, Gel-MA still lacks intrinsic capacities of inducing angiogenesis and MSC homing, thus being unable to facilitate sufficient repair of osteochondral defects [ 17 ]. This limitation of Gel-MA may be approached by encapsulating MSCs [ 18 ] or bioactive agents [ 19 ]. In contrast to MSC-based TE, bioactive agent-based TE technique bears a series of advantages, such as low cost, wide sources, and low regulatory barriers in clinical translation [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Utilizing 3D bioprinted platelet-rich fibrin-based materials to promote the regeneration of oral soft tissue

“…Similarly, Irmak et al . [ 28 ] reported the development of a PRP-based bioink for use in cartilaginous tissue engineering in which Gel-MA was used to reinforce the PRP. Herein, AG was incorporated to enhance the extrusion performance of our bioink preparations.…”

Stem Cells and Extrusion 3D Printing for Hyaline Cartilage Engineering

“…With good proliferation and differentiation potential, they offer new cell types and density possibilities for engineered constructs. Other cell types were extruded with subsequent evaluation of their chondrogenic properties, such as ATDC5 cells [186,187] or IPS cells [188]. Today's research aims to create layered substitutes that reproduce the natural zonal organization of hyaline cartilage, by optimizing cell types and densities, biomaterials, and environmental factors (growth factors, oximetry), to mimic both the structural and biomechanical properties of the natural material.…”