Adjustable Thermo-Responsive, Cell-Adhesive Tissue Engineering Scaffolds for Cell Stimulation through Periodic Changes in Culture Temperature

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) scaffold ideally provides hierarchical complexity and imitates the chemistry and mechanical properties of the natural cell environment. Here, we report on a stimuli-responsive photo-cross-linkable resin formulation for the fabrication of scaffolds by continuous digital light processing (cDLP), which allows for the mechano-stimulation of adherent cells. The resin comprises a network-forming trifunctional acrylate ester monomer (trimethylolpropane triacrylate, or TMPTA), N-isopropyl acrylamide (NiPAAm), cationic dimethylaminoethyl acrylate (DMAEA) for enhanced cell interaction, and 4-acryloyl morpholine (AMO) to adjust the phase transition temperature (Ttrans) of the equilibrium swollen cross-polymerized scaffold. With glycofurol as a biocompatible solvent, controlled three-dimensional structures were fabricated and the transition temperatures were adjusted by resin composition. The effects of the thermally induced mechano-stimulation were investigated with mouse fibroblasts (L929) and myoblasts (C2C12) on printed constructs. Periodic changes in the culture temperature stimulated the myoblast proliferation.

Injectable Chitosan–Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol Hybrid Hydrogel Untangling the Wound Healing Behavior: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

“…The developed chitosan hydrogels were rheologically analyzed to evaluate the hydrogel’s viscoelastic properties. The samples were measured using a rheometer while being assembled with a cone and plate (time sweep rheology) or a plate and plate (frequency sweep rheology). , In short, the chitosan–mPEG hybrid hydrogel formulation was placed on the rheometer plate and time sweep rheology was performed at a frequency of 1 Hz to determine the change in storage and loss modulus over time . Besides that, stress–strain rheology was also performed using a rheometer.…”

Recent Advancements in Bone Tissue Engineering: Integrating Smart Scaffold Technologies and Bio-Responsive Systems for Enhanced Regeneration

“…Additionally, research into biocompatible phase change materials that operate at temperatures closer to body temperature could reduce thermal stress on surrounding tissues, increasing the scaffold’s safety and feasibility. Research by Vejjasilpa et al explores a stimuli-responsive scaffold fabricated through continuous digital light processing (cDLP), which employs a resin formulation adjusting the phase transition temperature [ 140 ]. Notably, the scaffold’s phase transition temperature is adjustable based on the resin composition, enabling thermally induced mechano-stimulation of cells.…”