Dogan E, Holshue C, Bhusal A, Shukla R, Miri AK. Cell encapsulation in gelatin methacryloyl bioinks impairs microscale diffusion properties.
Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023;
11:1193970. [PMID:
37731769 PMCID:
PMC10507472 DOI:
10.3389/fbioe.2023.1193970]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Light-assisted bioprinted gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) constructs have been used for cell-laden microtissues and organoids. GelMA can be loaded by desired cells, which can regulate the biophysical properties of bioprinted constructs. We study how the degree of methacrylation (MA degree), GelMA mass concentration, and cell density change mass transport properties. We introduce a fluorescent-microscopy-based method of biotransport testing with improved sensitivity compared to the traditional particle tracking methods. The diffusion capacity of GelMA with a higher MA significantly decreased compared to a lower MA. Opposed to a steady range of linear elastic moduli, the diffusion coefficient in GelMA varied when cell densities ranged from 0 to 10 × 106 cells/ml. A comparative study of different cell sizes showed a higher diffusivity coefficient for the case of larger cells. The results of this study can help bioengineers and scientists to better control the biotransport characteristics in light-assisted bioprinted microtissues and organoids.
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