Development of bilayer tissue-engineered scaffolds: combination of 3D printing and electrospinning methodologies

Abstract

Although different fabrication methods and biomaterials are used in scaffold development, hydrogels and electrospun materials that provide the closest environment to the extracellular matrix (ECM) have recently attracted considerable interest in tissue engineering applications. However, some of the limitations encountered in the application of these methods alone in scaffold fabrication have increased the tendency to use these methods together. In this study, a bilayer scaffold was developed using 3D-printed gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel containing ciprofloxacin (CIP) and electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)-collagen (COL) patches. The bilayer scaffolds were characterized in terms of chemical, morphological, mechanical, swelling, and degradation properties; drug release, antibacterial properties, and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were also studied. In conclusion, bilayer GelMA-CIP/PCL-COL scaffolds, which exhibit sufficient porosity, mechanical strength, and antibacterial properties and also support cell growth, are promising potential substitutes in tissue engineering applications.

Comparative studies of GelMA hydrogels: investigating the effect of different source on mechanical, physical and biological properties

“…A previously established protocol was followed to synthesize GelMA from the type B gelatins used in the study [33]. The reason for using 0.2 ml of MAA per gram is that type B gelatin contains more amine groups than type A [34].…”