Directed endothelial cell morphogenesis in micropatterned gelatin methacrylate hydrogels

A Magnetically Driven Biodegradable Microsphere with Mass Production Capability for Subunit Vaccine Delivery and Enhanced Immunotherapy

Subunit vaccines have emerged as a promising strategy in immunotherapy for combating viral infections and cancer. Nevertheless, the clinical application of subunit vaccines is hindered by limitations in antigen delivery efficiency, characterized by rapid clearance and inadequate cellular uptake. Here, a novel subunit vaccine delivery system utilizing ovalbumin@magnetic nanoparticles (OVA@MNPs) encapsulated within biodegradable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microspheres was proposed to enhance the efficacy of antigen delivery. OVA@MNPs-loaded GelMA microspheres, denoted as OMGMs, can be navigated through magnetic fields to deliver subunit vaccines into the lymphatic system efficiently. Moreover, the biodegradable OMGMs enabled the sustained release of subunit vaccines, concentrating OVA around lymph nodes and enhancing the efficacy of induced immune response. OMGMs were produced through a microfluidic droplet generation technique, enabling mass production. In murine models, OMGMs successfully accumulated antigens in lymph nodes abundant in antigen-presenting cells, leading to enhanced cellular and humoral immunity and pronounced antitumor effects with a single booster immunization. In conclusion, these findings highlight the promise of OMGMs as a practical subunit vaccination approach, thus addressing the limitations associated with antigen delivery efficiency and paving the way for advanced immunotherapeutic strategies.

Unveiling the versatility of gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels: a comprehensive journey into biomedical applications

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels have gained significant recognition as versatile biomaterials in the biomedical domain. GelMA hydrogels emulate vital characteristics of the innate extracellular matrix by integrating cell-adhering and matrix metalloproteinase-responsive peptide motifs. These features enable cellular proliferation and spreading within GelMA-based hydrogel scaffolds. Moreover, GelMA displays flexibility in processing, as it experiences crosslinking when exposed to light irradiation, supporting the development of hydrogels with adjustable mechanical characteristics. The drug delivery landscape has been reshaped by GelMA hydrogels, offering a favorable platform for the controlled and sustained release of therapeutic actives. The tunable physicochemical characteristics of GelMA enable precise modulation of the kinetics of drug release, ensuring optimal therapeutic effectiveness. In tissue engineering, GelMA hydrogels perform an essential role in the design of the scaffold, providing a biomimetic environment conducive to cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Incorporating GelMA in three-dimensional printing further improves its applicability in drug delivery and developing complicated tissue constructs with spatial precision. Wound healing applications showcase GelMA hydrogels as bioactive dressings, fostering a conducive microenvironment for tissue regeneration. The inherent biocompatibility and tunable mechanical characteristics of GelMA provide its efficiency in the closure of wounds and tissue repair. GelMA hydrogels stand at the forefront of biomedical innovation, offering a versatile platform for addressing diverse challenges in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. This review provides a comprehensive overview, fostering an in-depth understanding of GelMA hydrogel's potential impact on progressing biomedical sciences.

An imprint-based approach to replicate nano- to microscale roughness on gelatin hydrogel scaffolds: surface characterization and effect on endothelialization

Biologization of biomaterials with endothelial cells (ECs) is an important step in vascular tissue engineering, aiming at improving hemocompatibility and diminishing the thrombo-inflammatory response of implants. Since subcellular topography in the scale of nano to micrometers can influence cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, we here investigate the effect of surface roughness on the endothelialization of gelatin hydrogel scaffolds. Considering the micron and sub-micron features of the different native tissues underlying the endothelium in the body, we carried out a biomimetic approach to replicate the surface roughness of tissues and analyzed how this impacted the adhesion and proliferation of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). Using an imprinting technique, nano and micro-roughness ranging from Sa= 402 nm to Sa= 8 μm were replicated on the surface of gelatin hydrogels. Fluorescent imaging of HUVECs on consecutive days after seeding revealed that microscale topographies negatively affect cell spreading and proliferation. By contrast, nanoscale roughnesses of Sa= 402 and Sa= 538 nm promoted endothelialization as evidenced by the formation of confluent cell monolayers with prominent VE-cadherin surface expression. Collectively, we present an affordable and flexible imprinting method to replicate surface characteristics of tissues on hydrogels and demonstrate how nanoscale roughness positively supports their endothelialization.

Enhanced Vascular-like Network Formation of Encapsulated HUVECs and ADSCs Coculture in Growth Factors Conjugated GelMA Hydrogels

Tissue engineering primarily aimed to alleviate the insufficiency of organ donations worldwide. Nonetheless, the survival of the engineered tissue is often compromised due to the complexity of the natural organ architectures, especially the vascular system inside the organ, which allows food-waste transfer. Thus, vascularization within the engineered tissue is of paramount importance. A critical aspect of this endeavor is the ability to replicate the intricacies of the extracellular matrix and promote the formation of functional vascular networks within engineered constructs. In this study, human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cocultured in different types of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA). In brief, pro-angiogenic signaling growth factors (GFs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), were conjugated onto GelMA via an EDC/NHS coupling reaction. The GelMA hydrogels conjugated with VEGF165 (GelMA@VEGF165) and bFGF (GelMA@bFGF) showed marginal changes in the chemical and physical characteristics of the GelMA hydrogels. Moreover, the conjugation of these growth factors demonstrated improved cell viability and cell proliferation within the hydrogel construct. Additionally, vascular-like network formation was observed predominantly on GelMA@GrowthFactor (GelMA@GF) hydrogels, particularly on GelMA@bFGF. This study suggests that growth factor-conjugated GelMA hydrogels would be a promising biomaterial for 3D vascular tissue engineering.

GelMA-based hydrogel biomaterial scaffold: A versatile platform for regenerative endodontics

Endodontic therapy, while generally successful, is primarily limited to mature teeth, hence the pressing need to explore regenerative approaches. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels have emerged as pivotal biomaterials, promising a bright future for dental pulp regeneration. Despite advancements in tissue engineering and biomaterials, achieving true pulp tissue regeneration remains a formidable task. GelMA stands out for its injectability, rapid gelation, and excellent biocompatibility, serving as the cornerstone of scaffold materials. In the pursuit of dental pulp regeneration, GelMA holds significant potential, facilitating the delivery of stem cells, growth factors, and other vital substances crucial for tissue repair. Presently, in the field of dental pulp regeneration, researchers have been diligently utilizing GelMA hydrogels as engineering scaffolds to transport various effective substances to promote pulp regeneration. However, existing research is relatively scattered and lacks comprehensive reviews and summaries. Therefore, the primary objective of this article is to elucidate the application of GelMA hydrogels as regenerative scaffolds in this field, thereby providing clear direction for future researchers. Additionally, this article provides a comprehensive discussion on the synthesis, characterization, and application of GelMA hydrogels in root canal therapy regeneration. Furthermore, it offers new application strategies and profound insights into future challenges, such as optimizing GelMA formulations to mimic the complex microenvironment of pulp tissue and enhancing its integration with host tissues.

ROS scavenging activity of polydopamine nanoparticle-loaded supramolecular gelatin-based hydrogel promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play essential roles in cellular functions, but maintaining ROS balance is crucial for effective therapeutic interventions, especially during cell therapy. In this study, we synthesized an injectable gelatin-based hydrogel, in which polydopamine nanoparticles were entrapped using supramolecular interactions. The surfaces of the nanoparticles were modified using adamantane, enabling their interactions with β-cyclodextrin-conjugated with gelatin. We evaluated the cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties of the hydrogel on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM), where it demonstrated the ability to increase the metabolic activity of NRCMs exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) after 5 days. Hydrogel-entrapped nanoparticle exhibited a high scavenging capability against hydroxyl radical, 1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, and H2O2, surpassing the effectiveness of ascorbic acid solution. Notably, the presence of polydopamine nanoparticles within the hydrogel promoted the proliferation activity of NRCMs, even in the absence of excessive ROS due to H2O2 treatment. Additionally, when the hydrogel with nanoparticles was injected into an air pouch model, it reduced inflammation and infiltration of immune cells. Notably, the levels of anti-inflammatory factors, IL-10 and IL-4, were significantly increased, while the pro-inflammatory factor TNF-α was suppressed. Therefore, this novel ROS-scavenging hydrogel holds promise for both efficient cell delivery into inflamed tissue and promoting tissue repair.

3D-Bioprinted GelMA Scaffold with ASCs and HUVECs for Engineering Vascularized Adipose Tissue

The purpose of tissue engineering is to reconstruct parts of injured tissues and to resolve the shortage of organ donations. However, the main concern is the limited size of engineered tissue due to insufficient oxygen and nutrition distribution in large three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs. To provide better support for cells inside the scaffolds, the vascularization of blood vessels within the scaffold could be a solution. This study compared the effects of different culturing systems using human adipose tissue-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and coculture of ASCs and HUVECs in 3D-bioprinted gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel constructs. The in vitro results showed that the number of live cells was highest in the coculture of ASCs and HUVECs in the GelMA hydrogel after culturing for 21 days. Additionally, the tubular structure was the most abundant in the GelMA hydrogel, containing both ASCs and HUVECs. In the in vivo test, blood vessels were present in both the HUVECs and the coculture of ASCs and HUVECs hydrogels implanted in mice. However, the blood vessel density was the highest in the HUVEC and ASC coculture groups. These findings indicate that the 3D-bioprinted GelMA hydrogel coculture system could be a promising biomaterial for large tissue engineering applications.

Augmented wound healing potential of photosensitive GelMA hydrogel incorporating antimicrobial peptides and MXene nanoparticles

Introduction: Wound healing is a delicate and complex process influenced by many factors. The treatment of skin wounds commonly involves the use of wound dressings, which remain a routine approach. An ideal dressing can provide protection and a suitable environment for wound surfaces by maintaining moisture and exhibiting good biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and antibacterial properties to promote healing and prevent infection. Methods: We encapsulated tick-derived antibacterial polypeptides (Os) as a model drug within a methylacrylyl gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel containing MXene nanoparticles. The prepared composite hydrogels were evaluated for their wound dressing potential by analyzing surface morphology, mechanical properties, swelling behavior, degradation properties, antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility. Results: The results demonstrated excellent mechanical strength, swelling performance, degradation behavior, and antibacterial activity of the prepared composite hydrogels, effectively promoting cell growth, adhesion, and expression of antibacterial peptide activity. A full-thickness rat wound model then observed the wound healing process and surface interactions between the composite hydrogels and wounds. The composite hydrogel significantly accelerated wound closure, reduced inflammation, and sped epithelial formation and maturation. Discussion: Incorporating antibacterial peptides into GelMA provides a feasible strategy for developing excellent antibacterial wound dressings capable of tissue repair. In conclusion, this study presents a GelMA-based approach for designing antibacterial dressings with strong tissue regenerative ability.

Engineering large and geometrically controlled vascularized nerve tissue in collagen hydrogels to restore large-sized volumetric muscle loss

Developing scalable vascularized and innervated tissue is a critical challenge for the successful clinical application of tissue-engineered constructs. Collagen hydrogels are extensively utilized in cell-mediated vascular network formation because of their naturally excellent biological properties. However, the substantial increase in hydrogel contraction induced by populated cells limits their long-term use. Previous studies attempted to mitigate this issue by concentrating collagen pre-polymer solutions or synthesizing covalently crosslinked collagen hydrogels. However, these methods only partially reduce hydrogel contraction while hindering blood vessel formation within the hydrogels. To address this challenge, we introduced additional support in the form of a supportive spacer to counteract the contraction forces of populated cells and prevent hydrogel contraction. This approach was found to promote cell spreading, resist hydrogel contraction, control hydrogel/tissue geometry, and even facilitate the engineering of functional blood vessels and host nerve growth in just one week. Subsequently, implanting these engineered tissues into muscle defect sites resulted in timely anastomosis with the host vasculature, leading to enhanced myogenesis, increased muscle innervation, and the restoration of injured muscle functionality. Overall, this innovative strategy expands the applicability of collagen hydrogels in fabricating large vascularized nerve tissue constructs for repairing volumetric muscle loss (∼63 %) and restoring muscle function.

High-Throughput Bioprinting of Geometrically-Controlled Pre-Vascularized Injectable Microgels for Accelerated Tissue Regeneration

Successful integration of cell-laden tissue constructs with host vasculature depends on the presence of functional capillaries to provide oxygen and nutrients to the embedded cells. However, diffusion limitations of cell-laden biomaterials challenge regeneration of large tissue defects that require bulk-delivery of hydrogels and cells. Herein, a strategy to bioprint geometrically controlled, endothelial and stem-cell laden microgels in high-throughput is introduced, allowing these cells to form mature and functional pericyte-supported vascular capillaries in vitro, and then injecting these pre-vascularized constructs minimally invasively in-vivo. It is demonstrated that this approach offers both desired scalability for translational applications as well as unprecedented levels of control over multiple microgel parameters to design spatially-tailored microenvironments for better scaffold functionality and vasculature formation. As a proof-of-concept, the regenerative capacity of the bioprinted pre-vascularized microgels is compared with that of cell-laden monolithic hydrogels of the same cellular and matrix composition in hard-to-heal defects in vivo. The results demonstrate that the bioprinted microgels have faster and higher connective tissue formation, more vessels per area, and widespread presence of functional chimeric (human and murine) vascular capillaries across regenerated sites. The proposed strategy, therefore, addresses a significant issue in regenerative medicine, demonstrating a superior potential to facilitate translational regenerative efforts.

Waffle-inspired hydrogel-based macrodevice for spatially controlled distribution of encapsulated therapeutic microtissues and pro-angiogenic endothelial cells

Macro-encapsulation systems for delivery of cellular therapeutics in diabetes treatment offer major advantages such as device retrievability and high cell packing density. However, microtissue aggregation and absence of vasculature have been implicated in the inadequate transfer of nutrients and oxygen to the transplanted cellular grafts. Herein, we develop a hydrogel-based macrodevice to encapsulate therapeutic microtissues positioned in homogeneous spatial distribution to mitigate their aggregation while concurrently supporting an organized intra-device network of vascular-inductive cells. Termed Waffle-inspired Interlocking Macro-encapsulation (WIM) device, this platform comprises two modules with complementary topography features that fit together in a lock-and-key configuration. The waffle-inspired grid-like micropattern of the "lock" component effectively entraps insulin-secreting microtissues in controlled locations while the interlocking design places them in a co-planar spatial arrangement with close proximity to vascular-inductive cells. The WIM device co-laden with INS-1E microtissues and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) maintains desirable cellular viability in vitro with the encapsulated microtissues retaining their glucose-responsive insulin secretion while embedded HUVECs express pro-angiogenic markers. Furthermore, a subcutaneously implanted alginate-coated WIM device encapsulating primary rat islets achieves blood glucose control for 2 weeks in chemically induced diabetic mice. Overall, this macrodevice design lays foundation for a cell delivery platform, which has the potential to facilitate nutrients and oxygen transport to therapeutic grafts and thereby might lead to improved disease management outcome.

Classification, processing, and applications of bioink and 3D bioprinting: A detailed review

With the advancement in 3D bioprinting technology, cell culture methods can design 3D environments which are both, complex and physiologically relevant. The main component in 3D bioprinting, bioink, can be split into various categories depending on the criterion of categorization. Although the choice of bioink and bioprinting process will vary greatly depending on the application, general features such as material properties, biological interaction, gelation, and viscosity are always important to consider. The foundation of 3D bioprinting is the exact layer-by-layer implantation of biological elements, biochemicals, and living cells with the spatial control of the implantation of functional elements onto the biofabricated 3D structure. Three basic strategies underlie the 3D bioprinting process: autonomous self-assembly, micro tissue building blocks, and biomimicry or biomimetics. Tissue engineering can benefit from 3D bioprinting in many ways, but there are still numerous obstacles to overcome before functional tissues can be produced and used in clinical settings. A better comprehension of the physiological characteristics of bioink materials and a higher level of ability to reproduce the intricate biologically mimicked and physiologically relevant 3D structures would be a significant improvement for 3D bioprinting to overcome the limitations.

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) loaded with concentrated hypoxic pretreated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(ADSCs) conditioned medium promotes wound healing and vascular regeneration in aged skin

BACKGROUND

Aging skin is characterized by a disturbed structure and lack of blood supply, which makes it difficult to heal once injured. ADSCs secrete large amounts of cytokines, which promote wound healing and vascular regeneration through paracrine secretion, and the number of cytokines can be elevated by hypoxic pretreating. However, the components of ADSCs are difficult to retain in wounds. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is a photopolymerizable hydrogel synthesized from gelatin and has recently emerged as a potentially attractive material for tissue engineering applications. GelMA loaded with concentrated hypoxic pretreated ADSCs conditioned medium could provide a new method of treating wounds in aged skin.

METHODS

Primary ADSCs were isolated from human adipose tissue and characterized by flow cytometry and differentiation test. ADSCs in passages 4-6 were pretreated in the hypoxic and normoxic environments to collect conditioned medium, the conditioned medium was then concentrated to prepare concentrated ADSCs conditioned medium(cADSC-CM)(the one collected from ADSCs under hypoxia was called hypo-CM ,and the one from normoxia was called nor-CM). The concentration of cytokines was detected. After treated with cADSC-CM, the abilities of proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assayed, and Akt/mTOR and MAPK signal pathway was detected using western blotting. GelMA+hypo-CM hydrogel was prepared, and a comprehensive evaluation of morphology, protein release efficiency, degradation rate, mechanical properties, and rheology properties were performed. Full-thickness skin wounds were created on the backs of 20-month-old mice. After surgery, GelMA, GelMA+F12, GelMA+hypo-CM, and GelMA+nor-CM were applied to the wound surface respectively. H&E, Masson, and immunohistochemistry staining were performed, and a laser Doppler perfusion imager was used to evaluate the blood perfusion. The student's t-test was used for analysis between two groups and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for analysis among multi groups.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that 1) wounds in aged skin healed more slowly than that in young skin and exhibited poorer perfusion; 2) hypoxic pretreated ADSCs secreted more cytokines including VEGF by activating HIF1α; 3) hypo-CM promoted proliferation and migration of HUVECs through VEGF/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signal pathway; 4) GelMA-hypoCM accelerated wound healing and angiogenesis in aged skin in vivo.

CONCLUSION

GelMA loaded with concentrated hypoxic pretreated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium could accelerate wound healing in aged skin by promoting angiogenesis.

A Porous Gelatin Methacrylate-Based Material for 3D Cell-Laden Constructs

3D constructs are fundamental in tissue engineering and cancer modeling, generating a demand for tailored materials creating a suitable cell culture microenvironment and amenable to be bioprinted. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is a well-known functionalized natural polymer with good printability and binding motifs allowing cell adhesion; however, its tight micropores induce encapsulated cells to retain a non-physiological spherical shape. To overcome this problem, blended GelMa is here blended with Pluronic F-127 (PLU) to modify the hydrogel internal porosity by inducing the formation of larger mesoscale pores. The change in porosity also leads to increased swelling and a slight decrease in Young's modulus. All blends form stable hydrogels both when cast in annular molds and bioprinted in complex structures. Embedded cells maintain high viability, and while Neuroblastoma cancer cells typically aggregate inside the mesoscale pores, Mesenchymal Stem Cells stretch in all three dimensions, forming cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. The results of this work prove that the combination of tailored porous materials with bioprinting techniques enables to control both the micro and macro architecture of cell-laden constructs, a fundamental aspect for the development of clinically relevant in vitro constructs.

A Psychrophilic GelMA: Breaking Technical and Immunological Barriers for Multimaterial High-Resolution 3D Bioprinting

The increasing demand for tissue replacement has encouraged scientists worldwide to focus on developing new biofabrication technologies. Multimaterials/cells printed with stringent resolutions are necessary to address the high complexity of tissues. Advanced inkjet 3D printing can use multimaterials and attain high resolution and complexity of printed structures. However, a decisive yet limiting aspect of translational 3D bioprinting is selecting the befitting material to be used as bioink; there is a complete lack of cytoactive bioinks with adequate rheological, mechanical, and reactive properties. This work strives to achieve the right balance between resolution and cell support through methacrylamide functionalization of a psychrophilic gelatin and new fluorosurfactants used to engineer a photo-cross-linkable and immunoevasive bioink. The syntonized parameters following optimal formulation conditions allow proficient printability in a PolyJet 3D printer comparable in resolution to a commercial synthetic ink (∼150 μm). The bioink formulation achieved the desired viability (∼80%) and proliferation of co-printed cells while demonstrating in vivo immune tolerance of printed structures. The practical usage of existing high-resolution 3D printing systems using a novel bioink is shown here, allowing 3D bioprinted structures with potentially unprecedented complexity.

Bioengineering for vascularization: Trends and directions of photocrosslinkable gelatin methacrylate hydrogels

Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels have been widely used in various biomedical applications, especially in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, for their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. GelMA crosslinks to form a hydrogel when exposed to light irradiation in the presence of photoinitiators. The mechanical characteristics of GelMA hydrogels are highly tunable by changing the crosslinking conditions, including the GelMA polymer concentration, degree of methacrylation, light wavelength and intensity, and light exposure time et al. In this regard, GelMA hydrogels can be adjusted to closely resemble the native extracellular matrix (ECM) properties for the specific functions of target tissues. Therefore, this review focuses on the applications of GelMA hydrogels for bioengineering human vascular networks in vitro and in vivo. Since most tissues require vasculature to provide nutrients and oxygen to individual cells, timely vascularization is critical to the success of tissue- and cell-based therapies. Recent research has demonstrated the robust formation of human vascular networks by embedding human vascular endothelial cells and perivascular mesenchymal cells in GelMA hydrogels. Vascular cell-laden GelMA hydrogels can be microfabricated using different methodologies and integrated with microfluidic devices to generate a vasculature-on-a-chip system for disease modeling or drug screening. Bioengineered vascular networks can also serve as build-in vasculature to ensure the adequate oxygenation of thick tissue-engineered constructs. Meanwhile, several reports used GelMA hydrogels as implantable materials to deliver therapeutic cells aiming to rebuild the vasculature in ischemic wounds for repairing tissue injuries. Here, we intend to reveal present work trends and provide new insights into the development of clinically relevant applications based on vascularized GelMA hydrogels.

Three-dimensional electroconductive carbon nanotube-based hydrogel scaffolds enhance neural differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla

The radical treatment of neurological impairments remains a major clinical challenge. Stem cells with high neural differentiation ability delivered by electroconductive hydrogel scaffolds have demonstrated promising applications in neural tissue regeneration. However, there are still challenges in designing bioactive scaffolds with good biocompatibility, appropriate electrical conductivity, and neurogenic niche. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) electroconductive gelatin methacryloyl-multi-walled carbon nanotube/cobalt (GelMA-MWCNTs/Co) hydrogel scaffold was fabricated by incorporating MWCNTs/Co composites into a GelMA hydrogel matrix. The surface morphology, pore size, elastic modulus, swelling ratio, and conductivity of the hydrogels were measured. GelMA-MWCNTs/Co exhibited higher electrical conductivity than GelMA-MWCNTs. Live/dead and CCK8 assays demonstrated the good biocompatibility of the hydrogel for stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) growth and differentiation. The cells encapsulated in the GelMA-MWCNTs and GelMA-MWCNTs/Co hydrogel scaffolds exhibited significant neuronal cell-like changes and a notable level of neuronal-specific marker expression after the electrical stimulation (ES) for 7 days, compared to that in the hydrogels without ES. Notably, the neurite spreading and Tuj1 fluorescent intensity of the SCAP in the electrically conductive GelMA-MWCNTs/Co hydrogel were more prominent compared to those of the other two groups. In addition, the 3D conductive hydrogel scaffolds advanced the neural differentiation of SCAP to an earlier time point. Considering these aspects, the novel electroconductive GelMA-MWCNTs/Co hydrogel synergized with ES greatly promotes SCAP neuronal differentiation.

A Bioink Derived From Human Placenta Supporting Angiogenesis

Bioprinting is an emerging approach for constructing sophisticated tissue analogues with detailed architectures such as vascular networks, which requires bioink fulfill the highly printable property and provide a cell-friendly microenvironment mimicking native extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we developed a human placental ECM-derived bioink (hp-bioink) meeting the requirements of 3D printing for printability and bioactivity. We first decellularized the human placenta, followed by enzymatic digestion, dialysis, lyophilization, and re-solubilization to convert the extracts into hp-bioink. Then, we demonstrated that 3%-5% of hp-bioink can be printed with self-standing and 1%-2% of hp-bioink can be embedded with suspended hydrogels. Moreover, hp-bioink supports HUVEC assembly in vitro and angiogenesis in mice in vivo. Our research enriched the bank of human-derived bioink, and provided a new opportunity to further accelerate bioprinting research and application.

In Vitro Tissue Reconstruction Using Decellularized Pericardium Cultured with Cells for Ligament Regeneration

Recent applications of decellularized tissues have included the ectopic use of their sheets and powders for three-dimensional (3D) tissue reconstruction. Decellularized tissues are fabricated with the desired functions to employ them to a target tissue. The aim of this study was to develop a 3D reconstruction method using a recellularized pericardium to overcome the difficulties in cell infiltration into tight and dense tissues, such as ligament and tendon tissues. Decellularized pericardial tissues were prepared using the high hydrostatic pressurization (HHP) and surfactant methods. The pericardium consisted of bundles of aligned fibers. The bundles were slightly disordered in the surfactant decellularization method compared to the HHP decellularization method. The mechanical properties of the pericardium were maintained after the HHP and surfactant decellularizations. The HHP-decellularized pericardium was rolled up into a cylindrical formation. Its mechanical behavior was similar to that of a porcine anterior cruciate ligament in tensile testing. NIH3T3, C2C12, and mesenchymal stem cells were adhered with elongation and alignment on the HHP- and surfactant-decellularized pericardia, with dependences on the cell type and decellularization method. When the recellularized pericardium was rolled up into a cylinder formation and cultured by hanging circulation for 2 days, the cylinder formation and cellular elongation and alignment were maintained on the decellularized pericardium, resulting in a layer structure of cells in a cross-section. According to these results, the 3D-reconstructed decellularized pericardium with cells has the potential to be an attractive alternative to living tissues, such as ligament and tendon tissues.

A Biodegradable Magnetic Microrobot Based on Gelatin Methacrylate for Precise Delivery of Stem Cells with Mass Production Capability

A great deal of research has focused on small-scale robots for biomedical applications and minimally invasive delivery of therapeutics (e.g., cells, drugs, and genes) to a target area. Conventional fabrication methods, such as two-photon polymerization, can be used to build sophisticated micro- and nanorobots, but the long fabrication cycle for a single microrobot has limited its practical use. This study proposes a biodegradable spherical gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) microrobot for mass production in a microfluidic channel. The proposed microrobot is fabricated in a flow-focusing droplet generator by shearing a mixture of GelMA, photoinitiator, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with a mixture of oil and surfactant. Human nasal turbinate stem cells (hNTSCs) are loaded on the GelMA microrobot, and the hNTSC-loaded microrobot shows precise rolling motion in response to an external rotating magnetic field. The microrobot is enzymatically degraded by collagenase, and released hNTSCs are proliferated and differentiated into neuronal cells. In addition, the feasibility of the GelMA microrobot as a cell therapeutic delivery system is investigated by measuring electrophysiological activity on a multielectrode array. Such a versatile and fully biodegradable microrobot has the potential for targeted stem cell delivery, proliferation, and differentiation for stem cell-based therapy.

Guiding cell migration in 3D with high-resolution photografting

Multi-photon lithography (MPL) has proven to be a suitable tool to precisely control the microenvironment of cells in terms of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the hydrogel matrix. In this work, we present a novel method, based on multi-photon photografting of 4,4′-diazido-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DSSA), and its capabilities to induce cell alignment, directional cell migration and endothelial sprouting in a gelatin-based hydrogel matrix. DSSA-photografting allows for the fabrication of complex patterns at a high-resolution and is a biocompatible, universally applicable and straightforward process that is comparably fast. We have demonstrated the preferential orientation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) in response to a photografted pattern. Co-culture spheroids of hASCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) have been utilized to study the directional migration of hASCs into the modified regions. Subsequently, we have highlighted the dependence of endothelial sprouting on the presence of hASCs and demonstrated the potential of photografting to control the direction of the sprouts. MPL-induced DSSA-photografting has been established as a promising method to selectively alter the microenvironment of cells.

Photocurable Hydrogel Substrate-Better Potential Substitute on Bone-Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells Culturing

Dendritic cells (DCs) are recognized as the most effective antigen-presenting cells at present. DCs have corresponding therapeutic effects in tumor immunity, transplantation immunity, infection inflammation and cardiovascular diseases, and the activation of T cells is dependent on DCs. However, normal bone-marrow-derived Dendritic cells (BMDCs) cultured on conventional culture plates are easy to be activated during culturing, and it is difficult to imitate the internal immune function. Here, we reported a novel BMDCs culturing with hydrogel substrate (CCHS), where we synthesized low substituted Gelatin Methacrylate-30 (GelMA-30) hydrogels and used them as a substitute for conventional culture plates in the culture and induction of BMDCs in vitro. The results showed that 5% GelMA-30 substrate was the best culture condition for BMDCs culturing. The low level of costimulatory molecules and the level of development-related transcription factors of BMDCs by CCHS were closer to that of spleen DCs and were capable of better promoting T cell activation and exerting an immune effect. CCHS was helpful to study the transformation of DCs from initial state to activated state, which contributes to the development of DC-T cell immunotherapy.

Galantamine tethered hydrogel as a novel therapeutic target for streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's disease in Wistar rats

Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque formation, neuronal cell death, and cognitive impairment are the unique symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). No single step remedy is available to treat AD, so the present study aimed to improve the drugability and minimize the abnormal behavioral and biochemical activities in streptozotocin (STZ) induced AD experimental Wistar rats. In particular, we explored the utilization of methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), which is a biopolymeric hydrogel that mimics the natural tissue environment. The synthesized biopolymeric gel contained the drug galantamine (Gal). Investigations were conducted to evaluate the behavioral activities of STZ-induced AD experimental rats under STZ ​+ ​GelMA ​+ ​Gal treatment. The experimental groups comprised the control and STZ, STZ ​+ ​GelMA, STZ ​+ ​Gal, and STZ ​+ ​GelMA ​+ ​Gal (10 ​mg/kg) treated rats. Intracerebroventricular STZ ensures cognitive decline in terms of an increase in the escape latency period, with a decrease in the spontaneous alteration of behavioral activities. Our results indicated decrease Aβ aggregation in the hydrogel-based drug treatment group and significant decreases in the levels of acetylcholinesterase and lipid peroxidation (p ​< ​0.001). In addition, the glutathione and superoxide dismutase activities appeared to be improved in the STZ ​+ ​GelMA ​+ ​Gal group compared with the other treatment groups. Furthermore, histopathological and immunohistochemical experiments showed that the GelMA ​+ ​Gal treated AD rats exhibited significantly improved behavioral and biochemical activities compared with the STZ treated AD rats. Therefore, STZ ​+ ​GelMA ​+ ​Gal administration from the pre-plaque stage may have a potential clinical application in the prevention of AD. Thus, we conclude that hydrogel-based Gal drugs are efficient at decreasing Aβ aggregation and improving the neuroinflammatory process, antioxidant activity, and neuronal growth.

Stratified-structural hydrogel incorporated with magnesium-ion-modified black phosphorus nanosheets for promoting neuro-vascularized bone regeneration

Angiogenesis and neurogenesis play irreplaceable roles in bone repair. Although biomaterial implantation that mimics native skeletal tissue is extensively studied, the nerve-vascular network reconstruction is neglected in the design of biomaterials. Our goal here is to establish a periosteum-simulating bilayer hydrogel and explore the efficiency of bone repair via enhancement of angiogenesis and neurogenesis. In this contribution, we designed a bilayer hydrogel platform incorporated with magnesium-ion-modified black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets for promoting neuro-vascularized bone regeneration. Specifically, we incorporated magnesium-ion-modified black phosphorus (BP@Mg) nanosheets into gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel to prepare the upper hydrogel, whereas the bottom hydrogel was designed as a double-network hydrogel system, consisting of two interpenetrating polymer networks composed of GelMA, PEGDA, and β-TCP nanocrystals. The magnesium ion modification process was developed to enhance BP nanosheet stability and provide a sustained release platform for bioactive ions. Our results demonstrated that the upper layer of hydrogel provided a bionic periosteal structure, which significantly facilitated angiogenesis via induction of endothelial cell migration and presented multiple advantages for the upregulation of nerve-related protein expression in neural stem cells (NSCs). Moreover, the bottom layer of the hydrogel significantly promoted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) activity and osteogenic differentiation. We next employed the bilayer hydrogel structure to correct rat skull defects. Based on our radiological and histological examinations, the bilayer hydrogel scaffolds markedly enhanced early vascularization and neurogenesis, which prompted eventual bone regeneration and remodeling. Our current strategy paves way for designing nerve-vascular network biomaterials for bone regeneration.

•

Developing a periosteum-simulating bilayer hydrogel to improve the efficiency of neuro-vascularized bone repair.

•

A magnesium-ion-modified black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets incorporated hydrogel platform was designed.

•

Designing nerve-vascular network biomaterials for bone regeneration.

Advances in 3D printing of composite scaffolds for the repairment of bone tissue associated defects

The conventional methods of using autografts and allografts for repairing defects in bone, the osteochondral bone and the cartilage tissue have many disadvantages, like donor site morbidity and shortage of donors. Moreover, only 30% of the implanted grafts are shown to be successful in treating the defects. Hence, exploring alternative techniques such as tissue engineering to treat bone tissue associated defects is promising as it eliminates the above-mentioned limitations. To enhance the mechanical and biological properties of the tissue engineered product, it is essential to fabricate the scaffold used in tissue engineering by the combination of various biomaterials. Three-dimensional (3D) printing, with its ability to print composite materials and with complex geometry seems to have a huge potential in scaffold fabrication technique for engineering bone associated tissues.This review summarizes the recent applications and future perspectives of 3D printing technologies in the fabrication of composite scaffolds used in bone, osteochondral and cartilage tissue engineering. Key developments in the field of 3D printing technologies involves the incorporation of various biomaterials and cells in printing composite scaffolds mimicking physiologically relevant complex geometry & gradient porosity. Much recently, the emerging trend of printing smart scaffolds which can respond to external stimulus such as temperature, pH and magnetic field, known as 4D printing is gaining immense popularity and can be considered as the future of 3D printing applications in the field of tissue engineering. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Modified Glycidyl Methacrylate-Ethyl Methacrylate Oligomers, Their Physico-Chemical and Biological Characteristics

In this study, well-known oligomers containing ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) components for the synthesis of the oligomeric network [P(EMA)-co-(GMA)] were used. In order to change the hydrophobic character of the [P(EMA)-co-(GMA)] to a more hydrophilic one, the oligomeric chain was functionalized with ethanolamine, xylitol (Xyl), and L-ornithine. The oligomeric materials were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermogravimetric analysis. In the final stage, thanks to the large amount of -OH groups, it was possible to obtain a three-dimensional hydrogel (HG) network. The HGs were used as a matrix for the immobilization of methylene blue, which was chosen as a model compound of active substances, the release of which from the matrix was examined using spectrophotometric detection. The cytotoxic test was performed using fluid extracts of the HGs and human skin fibroblasts. The cell culture experiment showed that only [P(EMA)-co-(GMA)] and [P(EMA)-co-(GMA)]-Xyl have the potential to be used in biomedical applications. The studies revealed that the obtained HGs were porous and non-cytotoxic, which gives them the opportunity to possess great potential for use as an oligomeric network for drug reservoirs in in vitro application.

Viscous Fingering as a Rapid 3D Pattering Technique for Engineering Cell-Laden Vascular-Like Constructs

Tissues are much larger than the diffusion limit distance, so rapidly providing blood vessels to supply embedded cells inside tissues with sufficient nutrients and oxygen is regarded as a major strategy for the success of bioengineered large and thick tissue constructs. Here, a patterning technique, viscous fingering, is developed to bioengineer vascularized-like tissues within a few minutes. By controlling viscosity, flow rate, and the volume of photo-cross-linkable prepolymer, macro- and microscale vascular network structures can be precisely engineered using the Hele-Shaw cell that is designed in this study. After cross-linking, a vascular-like gel with fingering structures is formed between the bottom and top base gels, creating a sandwich-like structure. Cells can be incorporated into the fingers, bases, or both gels. The spreading and growth direction of the embedded cells are successfully controlled and guided by manipulating the physical properties of the fingering and base gels individually. Moreover, fingering is generated, connected, and surrounded prepared cell-laden microgels in base prepolymers to form prevascularized tissue-like constructs. Taken together, the 3D cell patterning technique extends the potential for modeling and fabricating large and stackable vascularized tissue-like constructs for both ex vivo and in vivo applications.

Systematic optimization of visible light-induced crosslinking conditions of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is one of the most widely used photo-crosslinkable biopolymers in tissue engineering. In in presence of an appropriate photoinitiator, the light activation triggers the crosslinking process, which provides shape fidelity and stability at physiological temperature. Although ultraviolet (UV) has been extensively explored for photo-crosslinking, its application has been linked to numerous biosafety concerns, originated from UV phototoxicity. Eosin Y, in combination with TEOA and VC, is a biosafe photoinitiation system that can be activated via visible light instead of UV and bypasses those biosafety concerns; however, the crosslinking system needs fine-tuning and optimization. In order to systematically optimize the crosslinking conditions, we herein independently varied the concentrations of Eosin Y [(EY)], triethanolamine (TEOA), vinyl caprolactam (VC), GelMA precursor, and crosslinking times and assessed the effect of those parameters on the properties the hydrogel. Our data showed that except EY, which exhibited an optimal concentration (~ 0.05 mM), increasing [TEOA], [VA], [GelMA], or crosslinking time improved mechanical (tensile strength/modulus and compressive modulus), adhesion (lap shear strength), swelling, biodegradation properties of the hydrogel. However, increasing the concentrations of crosslinking reagents ([TEOA], [VA], [GelMA]) reduced cell viability in 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture. This study enabled us to optimize the crosslinking conditions to improve the properties of the GelMA hydrogel and to generate a library of hydrogels with defined properties essential for different biomedical applications.

3D Liver Tissue Model with Branched Vascular Networks by Multimaterial Bioprinting

Complicated vessels pervade almost all body tissues and influence the pathophysiology of the human body significantly. However, current fabrication strategies have limited success at multiscale vascular biofabrication. This study reports a methodology to fabricate soft vascularized tissue at centimeter scale using multimaterial bioprinting by a customized multistage-temperature-control printer. The printed constructs can be perfused via the branched endothelialized vasculatures to support the well-formed 3D capillary networks, which ensure cellular activities with sufficient nutrient supply and then mimic a mature and functional liver tissue in terms of synthesis of liver-specific proteins. Moreover, an inner and external pressure-bearing layer is printed to support the direct surgical anastomosis of the carotid artery to the jugular vein. In summary, a versatile platform to recapitulate the vasculature network is presented, in which case sustaining the optimal cellularization in engineered tissues is achievable.

Brain microvasculature endothelial cell orientation on micropatterned hydrogels is affected by glucose level variations

This work reports on an effort to decipher the alignment of brain microvasculature endothelial cells to physical constrains generated via adhesion control on hydrogel surfaces and explore the corresponding responses upon glucose level variations emulating the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes. We prepared hydrogels of hyaluronic acid a natural biomaterial that does not naturally support endothelial cell adhesion, and specifically functionalised RGD peptides into lines using UV-mediated linkage. The width of the lines was varied from 10 to 100 µm. We evaluated cell alignment by measuring the nuclei, cell, and F-actin orientations, and the nuclei and cell eccentricity via immunofluorescent staining and image analysis. We found that the brain microvascular endothelial cells aligned and elongated to these physical constraints for all line widths. In addition, we also observed that varying the cell medium glucose levels affected the cell alignment along the patterns. We believe our results may provide a platform for further studies on the impact of altered glucose levels in cardiovascular disease.

Engineering microvasculature by 3D bioprinting of prevascularized spheroids in photo-crosslinkable gelatin

To engineer tissues with clinically relevant dimensions by three-dimensional bioprinting, an extended vascular network with diameters ranging from the macro- to micro-scale needs to be integrated. Extrusion-based bioprinting is the most commonly applied bioprinting technique but due to the limited resolution of conventional bioprinters, the establishment of a microvascular network for the transfer of oxygen, nutrients and metabolic waste products remains challenging. To answer this need, this study assessed the potential and processability of spheroids, containing a capillary-like network, to be used as micron-sized prevascularized units for incorporation throughout the bioprinted construct. Prevascularized spheroids were generated by combining endothelial cells with fibroblasts and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells as supporting cells. To serve as a viscous medium for the bioink-based deposition by extrusion printing, spheroids were combined with a photo-crosslinkable methacrylamide-modified gelatin (gelMA) and Irgacure 2959. The influence of gelMA encapsulation, the printing process and photo-crosslinking conditions on spheroid viability, proliferation and vascularization were analyzed by live/dead staining, immunohistochemistry, gene expression analysis and sprouting analysis. Stable spheroid-laden constructs, allowing spheroid outgrowth, were achieved by applying 10 min UV-A photo-curing (365 nm, 4 mW cm^-2), while the construct was incubated in an additional Irgacure 2959 immersion solution. Following implantationin ovoonto a chick chorioallantoic membrane, the prevascular engineered constructs showed anastomosis with the host vasculature. This study demonstrated (a) the potential of triculture prevascularized spheroids for application as multicellular building blocks, (b) the processability of the spheroid-laden gelMA bioink by extrusion bioprinting and (c) the importance of photo-crosslinking parameters post printing, as prolonged photo-curing intervals showed to be detrimental for the angiogenic potential and complete vascularization of the construct post printing.

Surface Creasing-Induced Micropatterned GelMA Using Heating-Hydration Fabrication for Effective Vascularization

BACKGROUND

Surface modification is used to modify the biomaterials for the regulation of cell culture using different approaches, such as chemical graft and mechanical treatment. However, those conventional methodologies often require precise fabrication in a high resolution involving either high cost or laborious steps to remove chemical residues that are toxic to the cells.

METHODS

A novel and simple method was proposed and evaluated to rapidly generate surface ceases on the gelatin methacrylate (gelMA) surface using the heating-hydration process. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on the gelMA surface. The surface binding was characterized using the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) antibodies and cell adhesion pattern captured by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the heating-hydration parameters on the creasing formation was investigated. The morphology of HUVECs cultured on such micropatterned gelMA was characterized and compared.

RESULTS

It is found that the hydration solution, gelMA mixture, and hydration rate are the major factors that influence the cracking sizes in the range from 20 to 120 µm which resulted in capillary-like patterns on the gelMA surface. Low concentration of gelMA, high water concentration of cooling agent, and slow hydration rate result in the long creases, and heating of at least 60 min is required for complete dehydration. Strong fluorescence was around the creases with RGD-staining. Consequently, micropatterned gelMA demonstrated good biocompatibility with endothelial cells with more than 95% cell viability and continuous cell proliferation throughout 2 weeks as well as a good trace of neovascular formation. In comparison, normal gelMA surface did not exhibit RGD-fluorescent signals, and the cultured HUVECs on it were rounded with no spreading for network formation.

CONCLUSION

The heating-hydration approach can successfully and easily produce the micropatterned gelMA that allows rapid and effective vascularization to potentially improve the functionalities of the tissue-engineered construct.

Artificial cells for the treatment of liver diseases

Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden and account for over 2 million deaths every year globally. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they also suffer limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. Artificial cells have demonstrated advantages in long-term storage, targeting capability, and tuneable features. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment. First, the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions are summarized. Then, systems that mimic cell surface properties are introduced with two concepts highlighted: cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells. Next, cell microencapsulation strategy is summarized and discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells are outlined. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they have limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment, including the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions, two systems that mimic cell surface properties (cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells), and cell microencapsulation strategy. We also outline the challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells.

Injectable stress relaxation gelatin-based hydrogels with positive surface charge for adsorption of aggrecan and facile cartilage tissue regeneration

Background

Cartilage injury and pathological degeneration are reported in millions of patients globally. Cartilages such as articular hyaline cartilage are characterized by poor self-regeneration ability due to lack of vascular tissue. Current treatment methods adopt foreign cartilage analogue implants or microfracture surgery to accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These methods are invasive and are associated with the formation of fibrocartilage, which warrants further exploration of new cartilage repair materials. The present study aims to develop an injectable modified gelatin hydrogel.

Method

The hydrogel effectively adsorbed proteoglycans secreted by chondrocytes adjacent to the cartilage tissue in situ, and rapidly formed suitable chondrocyte survival microenvironment modified by ε-poly-L-lysine (EPL). Besides, dynamic covalent bonds were introduced between glucose and phenylboronic acids (PBA). These bonds formed reversible covalent interactions between the cis−diol groups on polyols and the ionic boronate state of PBA. PBA-modified hydrogel induced significant stress relaxation, which improved chondrocyte viability and cartilage differentiation of stem cells. Further, we explored the ability of these hydrogels to promote chondrocyte viability and cartilage differentiation of stem cells through chemical and mechanical modifications.

Results

In vivo and in vitro results demonstrated that the hydrogels exhibited efficient biocompatibility. EPL and PBA modified GelMA hydrogel (Gel-EPL/B) showed stronger activity on chondrocytes compared to the GelMA control group. The Gel-EPL/B group induced the secretion of more extracellular matrix and improved the chondrogenic differentiation potential of stem cells. Finally, thus hydrogel promoted the tissue repair of cartilage defects.

Conclusion

Modified hydrogel is effective in cartilage tissue repair.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00950-0.

Mammalian and Fish Gelatin Methacryloyl-Alginate Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) has been widely studied as a biomaterial for tissue engineering. Most studies focus on mammalian gelatin, but certain factors, such as mammalian diseases and diet restrictions, limit the use of mammalian gelatin. Thus, fish gelatin has received much attention as a substitute material in recent years. To develop a broadly applicable hydrogel with excellent properties, an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel was synthesized, since IPN hydrogels consist of at least two different hydrogel components to combine their advantages. In this study, we prepared GelMA using type A and fish gelatin and then synthesized IPN hydrogels using GelMA with alginate. GelMA single-network hydrogels were used as a control group. The favorable mechanical properties of type A and fish hydrogels improved after the synthesis of the IPN hydrogels. Type A and fish IPN hydrogels showed different mechanical properties (mechanical strength, swelling ratio, and degradation rate) and different cross-sectional morphologies, since the degree of mechanical enhancement in fish IPN hydrogels was less than that in type A; however, the cell biocompatibilities were not significantly different. Therefore, these findings could serve as a reference for future studies when selecting GelMA as a biological material for tissue engineering.

RGD-Modified Alginate-GelMA Hydrogel Sheet Containing Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Unique Platform for Wound Healing and Soft Tissue Regeneration

Soft tissue reconstruction has remained a major clinical challenge in dentistry and regenerative medicine. Although current methods have shown partial success, there are several disadvantages associated with these approaches. Gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) can be simply obtained in the oral cavity for soft tissue augmentation. Regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulated in hydrogels is well documented. Here, an alginate-gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel formulation is developed encapsulating GMSCs within the developed hydrogel. The results confirm that the encapsulated MSCs remain viable within the hydrogel with enhanced collagen deposition. An excisional wound model in mice is utilized to evaluate the in vivo functionality of the GMSC-hydrogel construct for wound healing and soft tissue regeneration. The histology and immunofluorescence analyses confirm the effectiveness of the GMSC-hydrogel in expediting wound healing via enhancing angiogenesis and suppressing local proinflammatory cytokines. Altogether, the findings demonstrate that GMSCs encapsulated in an engineered hydrogel sheet based on alginate and GelMA can be used to expedite wound healing and soft tissue regeneration, with potential applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as dentistry.

Controlling cellular organization in bioprinting through designed 3D microcompartmentalization

Controlling cellular organization is crucial in the biofabrication of tissue-engineered scaffolds, as it affects cell behavior as well as the functionality of mature tissue. Thus far, incorporation of physiochemical cues with cell-size resolution in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds has proven to be a challenging strategy to direct the desired cellular organization. In this work, a rapid, simple, and cost-effective approach is developed for continuous printing of multicompartmental hydrogel fibers with intrinsic 3D microfilaments to control cellular orientation. A static mixer integrated into a coaxial microfluidic device is utilized to print alginate/gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel fibers with patterned internal microtopographies. In the engineered microstructure, GelMA compartments provide a cell-favorable environment, while alginate compartments offer morphological and mechanical cues that direct the cellular orientation. It is demonstrated that the organization of the microtopographies, and consequently the cellular alignment, can be tailored by controlling flow parameters in the printing process. Despite the large diameter of the fibers, the precisely tuned internal microtopographies induce excellent cell spreading and alignment, which facilitate rapid cell proliferation and differentiation toward mature biofabricated constructs. This strategy can advance the engineering of functional tissues.

Robust and double-layer micro-patterned bioadhesive based on silk nanofibril/GelMA-alginate for stroma tissue engineering

We develop a robust micro-patterned double-layer film that can adhere firmly to the tissue and provide a sustained release of ascorbic acid (AA) for corneal regeneration. This double-layer film consists of a AA reservoir sodium alginate (SA) adhesive and an anisotropic layer made of micro-patterned silk nanofibrils (SNF) incorporated gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) (S/G). The S/G layer facilitates the adhesion and orientation of corneal stroma cells, depending on the pattern sizes (50 μm (P1) and 100 (P2) μm). Results reveal that more than 90% and 80% of the cells are located at angles close to the vertical axis (0-20°) in the sample with the smaller and larger pattern size, respectively. The mechanical robustness and 90% light transmission of this hybrid film originate from the micro-patterned S/G layer. However, the micro-pattern size does not show a significant role in the mechanical properties of hybrid films (tensile strength of S/G-SA, S/G-SA(P₁), and S/G-SA(P₂) is 3.4 ± 0.1 MPa, 3.6 ± 0.6 MPa and 3.3 ± 0.2 MPa, respectively). In addition, the strong adhesion to the tissue of this double-layer film is related to the alginate layer. AA can release in a controlled manner, which can significantly promote corneal stroma cells' attachment, alignment, and proliferation compared to the control (AA-free micro-patterned film). Our results reveal that this innovative multifunctional S/G-SA + AA film can be a proper candidate for use in stroma tissue engineering of the human cornea.

Recent Advances on Bioprinted Gelatin Methacrylate-Based Hydrogels for Tissue Repair

Bioprinting of body tissues has gained great attention in recent years due to its unique advantages, including the creation of complex geometries and printing the patient-specific tissues with various drug and cell types. The most momentous part of the bioprinting process is bioink, defined as a mixture of living cells and biomaterials (especially hydrogels). Among different biomaterials, natural polymers are the best choices for hydrogel-based bioinks due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and minimal inflammatory response in body condition. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel is one of the high-potential hydrogel-based bioinks due to its easy synthesis with low cost, great biocompatibility, transparent structure that is useful for cell monitoring, photocrosslinkability, and cell viability. Furthermore, the potential of adjusting properties of GelMA due to the synthesis protocol makes it a suitable choice for soft or hard tissues. In this review, different methods for the bioprinting of GelMA-based bioinks, as well as various effective process parameters, are reviewed. Also, several solutions for challenges in the printing of GelMA-based bioinks are discussed, and applications of GelMA-based bioprinted tissues argued as well. Impact statement Bioprinting has been demonstrated as a promising and alternative approach for organ transplantation to develop various types of living tissue. Bioinks, with great biological characteristics similar to the host tissues and rheological/flow features, are the first requirements for the successful bioprinting approach. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel is one of the high-potential hydrogel-based bioinks. This review provides a comprehensive look at different methods for the bioprinting of GelMA-based bioinks and applications of GelMA-based bioprinted tissues for tissue repair.

3D printing of functional microrobots

3D printing (also called "additive manufacturing" or "rapid prototyping") is able to translate computer-aided and designed virtual 3D models into 3D tangible constructs/objects through a layer-by-layer deposition approach. Since its introduction, 3D printing has aroused enormous interest among researchers and engineers to understand the fabrication process and composition-structure-property correlation of printed 3D objects and unleash its great potential for application in a variety of industrial sectors. Because of its unique technological advantages, 3D printing can definitely benefit the field of microrobotics and advance the design and development of functional microrobots in a customized manner. This review aims to present a generic overview of 3D printing for functional microrobots. The most applicable 3D printing techniques, with a focus on laser-based printing, are introduced for the 3D microfabrication of microrobots. 3D-printable materials for fabricating microrobots are reviewed in detail, including photopolymers, photo-crosslinkable hydrogels, and cell-laden hydrogels. The representative applications of 3D-printed microrobots with rational designs heretofore give evidence of how these printed microrobots are being exploited in the medical, environmental, and other relevant fields. A future outlook on the 3D printing of microrobots is also provided.

Microengineered 3D Tumor Models for Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery in Female-Related Cancers

The burden of cancer continues to increase in society and negatively impacts the lives of numerous patients. Due to the high cost of current treatment strategies, there is a crucial unmet need to develop inexpensive preclinical platforms to accelerate the process of anti-cancer drug discovery to improve outcomes in cancer patients, most especially in female patients. Many current methods employ expensive animal models which not only present ethical concerns but also do not often accurately predict human physiology and the outcomes of anti-cancer drug responsiveness. Conventional treatment approaches for cancer generally include systemic therapy after a surgical procedure. Although this treatment technique is effective, the outcome is not always positive due to various complex factors such as intratumor heterogeneity and confounding factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Patients who develop metastatic disease still have poor prognosis. To that end, recent efforts have attempted to use 3D microengineered platforms to enhance the predictive power and efficacy of anti-cancer drug screening, ultimately to develop personalized therapies. Fascinating features of microengineered assays, such as microfluidics, have led to the advancement in the development of the tumor-on-chip technology platforms, which have shown tremendous potential for meaningful and physiologically relevant anti-cancer drug discovery and screening. Three dimensional microscale models provide unprecedented ability to unveil the biological complexities of cancer and shed light into the mechanism of anti-cancer drug resistance in a timely and resource efficient manner. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of microengineered tumor models for anti-cancer drug discovery and screening in female-related cancers. We specifically focus on female-related cancers to draw attention to the various approaches being taken to improve the survival rate of women diagnosed with cancers caused by sex disparities. We also briefly discuss other cancer types like colon adenocarcinomas and glioblastoma due to their high rate of occurrence in females, as well as the high likelihood of sex-biased mutations which complicate current treatment strategies for women. We highlight recent advances in the development of 3D microscale platforms including 3D tumor spheroids, microfluidic platforms as well as bioprinted models, and discuss how they have been utilized to address major challenges in the process of drug discovery, such as chemoresistance, intratumor heterogeneity, drug toxicity, etc. We also present the potential of these platform technologies for use in high-throughput drug screening approaches as a replacements of conventional assays. Within each section, we will provide our perspectives on advantages of the discussed platform technologies.

Fabrication Method of a High-Density Co-Culture Tumor-Stroma Platform to Study Cancer Progression

Cancer has now been established as one of the most common chronic diseases due to high mortality rate. The early stage of non-invasive tumors can now be successfully treated leading to have high survival rates; however, the late stage invasive and metastatic tumors still suffer from poor treatment outcomes. Among multiple contributing factors, the role of tumor microenvironment and its complexities has been well recognized in cancer progression. Stromal cells including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), endothelial cells, adipocytes, immune cells as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) continuously interact with malignant cells and regulate various hallmarks of cancer including tumor growth, invasion, and intravasation. To better understand the role of the interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment, numerous model systems ranging from two-dimensional (2D) assays to 3D hydrogels and in vivo murine xenografts have been utilized. While each one of these model systems exhibit certain advantages in studying biological facets of tumor progression, they are often limited to perform well-controlled mechanistic studies due to various factors including lack of tumor-stroma organotypic organization and presence of confounding biochemical and biophysical factors within the tumor microenvironment. In this regard, in the past few years, 3D in vitro microengineered model systems are becoming instrumental to precisely mimic the complexities of the native tumor microenvironment to conduct fundamental and well-designed studies for multiple purposes ranging from biological discovery to therapeutic screening. These model systems include microfluidics, micro-patterned features, and 3D organoids. In this chapter, we will outline the fabrication strategy of our microengineered 3D co-culture tumor-stromal model which comprises high-density array of tumor seeded microwells surrounded by stromal cells, such as CAFs encapsulated within collagen-based hydrogel. The developed platform provides excellent spatial organization of tumor and stromal entities with designated initial architecture and cellular positioning, therefore enabling to study the specific role of cell-cell and cell-ECM interaction on tumor proliferation/expansion, cancer cell migration as well as stromal activation. The developed platform is compatible with standard biological assays enabling gene and protein expression analyses across different types of cancer and co-culture of tumor and stromal cells.

One-pot preparation of a multi-functional enzymatically generated gelatin hydrogel with controllable antibacterial and hemorheological properties

The creation of multi-functional bio-hydrogels with tunable properties that meet in vivo demands is significant but remains challenging. Inspired by host-guest chemistry, a novel multi-functional gelatin-based bio-hydrogel with tunable antibacterial and hemorheological properties (TAH-GEL) is synthesized via an in situ one-pot strategy. TAH-GEL not only exhibits excellent mechanical properties but also shows promising self-healing and bio-compatibility features. For the first time, this biomaterial presents controllable antibacterial and hemorheological properties by controlling the TAH-GEL polypseudorotaxane motif. The resulting bio-hydrogel is easy to prepare and delivers superior performance, making it a powerful tool for bio-applications, such as hemostatic materials.

Designing Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA)-Based Bioinks for Visible Light Stereolithographic 3D Biofabrication

Bioinks play a key role in determining the capability of the biofabricatoin processes and the resolution of the printed constructs. Excellent biocompatibility, tunable physical properties, and ease of chemical or biological modifications of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) have made it an attractive choice as bioinks for biomanufacturing of various tissues or organs. However, the current preparation methods for GelMA-based bioinks lack the ability to tailor their physical properties for desired bioprinting methods. Inherently, GelMA prepolymer solution exhibits a fast sol-gel transition at room temperature, which is a hurdle for its use in stereolithography (SLA) bioprinting. Here, synthesis parameters are optimized such as solvents, pH, and reaction time to develop GelMA bioinks which have a slow sol-gel transition at room temperature and visible light crosslinkable functions. A total of eight GelMA combinations are identified as suitable for digital light processing (DLP)-based SLA (DLP-SLA) bioprinting through systematic characterizations of their physical and rheological properties. Out of various types of GelMA, those synthesized in reverse osmosis (RO) purified water (referred to as RO-GelMA) are regarded as most suitable to achieve high DLP-SLA printing resolution. RO-GelMA-based bioinks are also found to be biocompatible showing high survival rates of encapsulated cells in the photocrosslinked gels. Additionally, the astrocytes and fibroblasts are observed to grow and integrate well within the bioprinted constructs. The bioink's superior physical and photocrosslinking properties offer pathways of tuning the scaffold microenvironment and highlight the applicability of developed GelMA bioinks in various tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Advancing bioinks for 3D bioprinting using reactive fillers: A review

The growing demand for personalized implants and tissue scaffolds requires advanced biomaterials and processing strategies for the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) structures mimicking the complexity of the extracellular matrix. During the last years, biofabrication approaches like 3D printing of cell-laden (soft) hydrogels have been gaining increasing attention to design such 3D functional environments which resemble natural tissues (and organs). However, often these polymeric hydrogels show poor stability and low printing fidelity and hence various approaches in terms of multi-material mixtures are being developed to enhance pre- and post-printing features as well as cytocompatibility and post-printing cellular development. Additionally, bioactive properties improve the binding to the surrounding (host) tissue at the implantation site. In this review we focus on the state-of-the-art of a particular type of heterogeneous bioinks, which are composed of polymeric hydrogels incorporating inorganic bioactive fillers. Such systems include isotropic and anisotropic silicates like bioactive glasses and nanoclays or calcium-phosphates like hydroxyapatite (HAp), which provide in-situ crosslinking effects and add extra functionality to the matrix, for example mineralization capability. The present review paper discusses in detail such bioactive composite bioink systems based on the available literature, revealing that a great variety has been developed with substantially improved bioprinting characteristics, in comparison to the pure hydrogel counterparts, and enabling high viability of printed cells. The analysis of the results of the published studies demonstrates that bioactive fillers are a promising addition to hydrogels to print stable 3D constructs for regeneration of tissues. Progress and challenges of the development and applications of such composite bioink approaches are discussed and avenues for future research in the field are presented. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biofabrication, involving the processing of biocompatible hydrogels including cells (bioinks), is being increasingly applied for developing complex tissue and organ mimicking structures. A variety of multi-material bioinks is being investigated to bioprint 3D constructs showing shape stability and long-term biological performance. Composite hydrogel bioinks incorporating inorganic bioreactive fillers for 3D bioprinting are the subject of this review paper. Results reported in the literature highlight the effect of bioactive fillers on bioink properties, printability and on cell behavior during and after printing and provide important information for optimizing the design of future bioinks for biofabrication, exploiting the extra functionalities provided by inorganic fillers. Further functionalization with drugs/growth factors can target enhanced printability and local drug release for more specialized biomedical therapies.

Gelatin Methacrylate (GelMA)-Based Hydrogels for Cell Transplantation: an Effective Strategy for Tissue Engineering

Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)-based hydrogels are gaining a great deal of attention as potentially implantable materials in tissue engineering applications because of their biofunctionality and mechanical tenability. Since different natural tissues respond differently to mechanical stresses, an ideal implanted material would closely match the mechanical properties of the target tissue. In this regard, applications employing GelMA hydrogels are currently limited by the low mechanical strength and biocompatibility of GelMA. Therefore, this review focuses on modifications made to GelMA hydrogels to make them more suitable for tissue engineering applications. A large number of reports detail rational synthetic processes for GelMA or describe the incorporation of various biomaterials into GelMA hydrogels to tune their various properties, e.g., physical strength, chemical properties, conductivity, and porosity, and to promote cell loading and accelerate tissue repair. A novel strategy for repairing tissue injuries, based on the transplantation of cell-loaded GelMA scaffolds, is examined and its advantages and challenges are summarized. GelMA-cell combinations play a critical and pioneering role in this process and could potentially accelerate the development of clinically relevant applications.