Synthesis and Characterization of Nanofunctionalized Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogels

Abstract

Given the importance of the extracellular medium during tissue formation, it was wise to develop an artificial structure that mimics the extracellular matrix while having improved physico-chemical properties. That is why the choice was focused on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), an inexpensive biocompatible hydrogel. Physicochemical and mechanical properties were improved by the incorporation of nanoparticles developed from two innovative fabrication processes: High shear fluid and low frequencies/high frequencies ultrasounds. Both rapeseed nanoliposomes and nanodroplets were successfully incorporated in the GelMA networks during the photo polymerization process. The impact on polymer microstructure was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and enzymatic degradation investigations. Mechanical stability and viscoelastic tests were conducted to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the functionalization on GelMA hydrogels. Adding nanoparticles to GelMA improved the surface properties (porosity), tuned swelling, and degradability properties. In addition, we observed that nanoemulsion didn’t change significantly the mechanical properties to shear and compression solicitations, whereas nanoliposome addition decreased Young’s modulus under compression solicitations. Thus, these ways of functionalization allow controlling the design of the material by choosing the type of nanoparticle (nanoliposome or nanoemulsion) in function of the application.

Application of bioactive hydrogels combined with dental pulp stem cells for the repair of large gap peripheral nerve injuries

“…3 A). The results might be attributed to the relative large pore size in lower GelMA proportion of hydrogels, which facilitated the solutions filling into the interconnected pores of hydrogels [ 58 ]. In addition, the swelling ratio of GelMA-bFGF hydrogels decreased by increasing the total polymer concentrations, which was consistent with the observation on pure GelMA hydrogels described in previous study [ 28 ].…”

Generation of a 3D Liver Model Comprising Human Extracellular Matrix in an Alginate/Gelatin-Based Bioink by Extrusion Bioprinting for Infection and Transduction Studies

“…The first aim of our study was to identify the optimal composition of a bioink to maintain HepaRG cultivation in a printed 3D construct. Although being of non-human origin, the suitability of alginate [ 19 ] and gelatin [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 32 ] for the fabrication of 3D scaffolds and bioprinting has been well established [ 33 , 34 ]. Our previous results for the 3D printing of lung epithelial cells showed favorable characteristics of blends containing alginate and gelatin in terms of printability, cell viability and preservation of the shape of the generated constructs during culture [ 35 ].…”

Soft‐Nanoparticle Functionalization of Natural Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…Rahali et al functionalized GelMA hydrogels with naturally derived nanoliposomes and reported that the incorporation of nanoliposomes enhanced the mechanical stability of the functionalized GelMA hydrogels; proven by their higher resistance to twist and shear . Similarly, it was also demonstrated that the incorporation of nanoliposomes within alginate/GelMA hydrogels affected the rheological properties of the formed hydrogels, as well as their mechanical properties .…”