Cell-laden alginate dialdehyde-gelatin hydrogels formed in 3D printed sacrificial gel

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2020 Mar 9;31(3):31. doi: 10.1007/s10856-020-06369-7.

Abstract

Alginate dialdehyde-gelatin (ADA-GEL) hydrogels have been reported to be suitable matrices for cell encapsulation. In general, application of ADA-GEL as bioink has been limited to planar structures due to its low viscosity. In this work, ring shaped constructs of ADA-GEL hydrogel were fabricated by casting the hydrogel into sacrificial molds which were 3D printed from 9% methylcellulose and 5% gelatin. Dissolution of the supporting structure was observed during the 1st week of sample incubation. In addition, the effect of different crosslinkers (Ba2+ and Ca2+) on the physicochemical properties of ADA-GEL and on the behavior of encapsulated MG-63 cells was investigated. It was found that Ba2+ crosslinked network had more than twice higher storage modulus, and mass decrease to 70% during incubation compared to 42% in case of hydrogels crosslinked with Ca2+. In addition, faster increase in cell viability during incubation and earlier cell network formation were observed after Ba2+ crosslinking. No negative effects on cell activity due to the use of sacrificial materials were observed. The approach presented here could be further developed for cell-laden ADA-GEL bioink printing into complex 3D structures.

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / chemistry*
  • Alginates / chemistry*
  • Barium / chemistry
  • Bioprinting
  • Calcium / chemistry
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Gelatin / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Alginates
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Hydrogels
  • Barium
  • Gelatin
  • Calcium