Fabrication of 3D-Printed Interpenetrating Hydrogel Scaffolds for Promoting Chondrogenic Differentiation

Abstract

The limited self-healing ability of cartilage necessitates the application of alternative tissue engineering strategies for repairing the damaged tissue and restoring its normal function. Compared to conventional tissue engineering strategies, three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a greater potential for developing tissue-engineered scaffolds. Herein, we prepared a novel photocrosslinked printable cartilage ink comprising of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), and chondroitin sulfate methacrylate (CSMA). The PEGDA-GelMA-CSMA scaffolds possessed favorable compressive elastic modulus and degradation rate. In vitro experiments showed good adhesion, proliferation, and F-actin and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the scaffolds. When the CSMA concentration was increased, the compressive elastic modulus, GAG production, and expression of F-actin and cartilage-specific genes (COL2, ACAN, SOX9, PRG4) were significantly improved while the osteogenic marker genes of COL1 and ALP were decreased. The findings of the study indicate that the 3D-printed PEGDA-GelMA-CSMA scaffolds possessed not only adequate mechanical strength but also maintained a suitable 3D microenvironment for differentiation, proliferation, and extracellular matrix production of BMSCs, which suggested this customizable 3D-printed PEGDA-GelMA-CSMA scaffold may have great potential for cartilage repair and regeneration in vivo.

Biodegradable Dual-Cross-Linked Hydrogels with Stem Cell Differentiation Regulatory Properties Promote Growth Plate Injury Repair via Controllable Three-Dimensional Mechanics and a Cartilage-like Extracellular Matrix

“…43 Similarly, Guan et al showed that BMSCs exhibited good adhesion, proliferation rate, and chondrogenic differentiation on CS-containing scaffolds. 44 These results indicated that the grafted oxidized CS onto GM hydrogel via Schiff base bond could significantly improve the ability of GM to promote the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. 2.6.…”

“…In addition, CS plays an important role in driving chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow MSCs due to its glycans and sulfonic acid groups. , MSCs were coated with hydrogel scaffolds containing collagen-binding peptide CS (CS-SILY), resulting in higher expression of sulfated glycosaminoglycans . Similarly, Guan et al showed that BMSCs exhibited good adhesion, proliferation rate, and chondrogenic differentiation on CS-containing scaffolds . These results indicated that the grafted oxidized CS onto GM hydrogel via Schiff base bond could significantly improve the ability of GM to promote the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs.…”

Is 3D Printing Promising for Osteochondral Tissue Regeneration?

“…HAMA ,, chondroitin sulfate-based hydrogel, − and PU , hydrogels were also studied to mimic the cartilage layer of osteochondral tissue scaffolds. Since HAMA contains GAG, it holds high amounts of water and dissipates the energy during loading, which makes it suitable for osteochondral regeneration .…”

“…Since HAMA contains GAG, it holds high amounts of water and dissipates the energy during loading, which makes it suitable for osteochondral regeneration . Since its mechanical properties are poor, it is usually used as an additive with GelMA or alginate hydrogels to improve chondrogenic potential, as mentioned in the previous section in detail. , Chondroitin sulfate also has poor mechanical properties, and it is used together with GelMA and PEGDA hydrogels to reduce immune response and improve cell viability and chondrogenic differentiation. − …”

“… 1 , 54 Chondroitin sulfate also has poor mechanical properties, and it is used together with GelMA and PEGDA hydrogels to reduce immune response and improve cell viability and chondrogenic differentiation. 80 − 82 …”