Synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels

Abstract

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels have been widely used for various biomedical applications due to their suitable biological properties and tunable physical characteristics. Three dimensional (3D) GelMA hydrogels closely resemble some essential properties of native extracellular matrix (ECM) due to the presence of cell-attaching and matrix metalloproteinase responsive peptide motifs, which allow cells to proliferate and spread in GelMA-based scaffolds. GelMA is also versatile from a processing perspective. It crosslinks when exposed to light irradiation to form hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties which mimic the native ECM. It can also be microfabricated using different methodologies including micromolding, photomasking, bioprinting, self-assembly, and microfluidic techniques to generate constructs with controlled architectures. Hybrid hydrogel systems can also be formed by mixing GelMA with nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide, and other polymers to form networks with desired combined properties and characteristics for specific biological applications. Recent research has demonstrated the proficiency of GelMA-based hydrogels in a wide range of applications including engineering of bone, cartilage, cardiac, and vascular tissues, among others. Other applications of GelMA hydrogels, besides tissue engineering, include fundamental single-single cell research, cell signaling, drug and gene delivery, and bio-sensing.

Conductive gelatin methacrylate-poly(aniline) hydrogel for cell encapsulation

“…Not only is GelMA comprised of denatured collagen, the main organic component found in bone tissue [42], but it also retains bioactive cell-attachment sites within a hydrated mesh-like structure that allows for easy cell attachment and metabolic waste exchange with the surrounding media. [43] Additionally, GelMA can be processed into useful structures using UV-crosslinking, an easy-to-use processing method which has been shown to not cause lasting damage to encapsulated cells in short exposures. [29] Furthermore, due to the relative ease with which the hydrogel can be synthesized and cured, the addition of PANi and cells post processing make GelMA an optimal medium for the creation of GelMA-PANi-Saos-2 composites.…”

Effect of isoflurane�+�N2O inhalation and propofol�+�fentanyl anesthesia on myocardial function as assessed by cardiac troponin, caspase‑3, cyclooxygenase‑2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression

“…However, respiratory depression of fentanyl during surgery is rather common and hyperpathia after surgery occurs frequently (19). Propofol is an alkylphenolsedative-hypnotic drug and its advantages include quick effects, short hold time and fast waking (20). It is eliminated through the liver without accumulation.…”

3D-Printed Biodegradable Microswimmer for Drug Delivery and Targeted Cell Labeling

“…The bulk hydrogels of photocrosslinked gelatin methacryloyl were used in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications for its biocompatibility (23). Gelatin also contains target cleavage sites for MMP-2, thereby appealing as a biodegradable structural material for microrobots (24).…”