Soft tissue defects or pathologies frequently necessitate the use of biomaterials that provide the volume required for subsequent vascularization and tissue formation as autrografts are not always a feasible alternative. Supramolecular hydrogels represent promising candidates because of their 3D structure, which resembles the native extracellular matrix, and their capacity to entrap and sustain living cells. Guanosine-based hydrogels have emerged as prime candidates in recent years since the nucleoside self-assembles into well-ordered structures like G-quadruplexes by coordinating K+ ions and π-π stacking, ultimately forming an extensive nanofibrillar network. However, such compositions were frequently inappropriate for 3D printing due to material spreading and low shape stability over time. Thus, the present work aimed to develop a binary cell-laden hydrogel capable of ensuring cell survival while providing enough stability to ensure scaffold biointegration during soft tissue reconstruction. For that purpose, a binary hydrogel made of guanosine and guanosine 5'-monophosphate was optimized, rat mesenchymal stem cells were entrapped, and the composition was bioprinted. To further increase stability, the printed structure was coated with hyperbranched polyethylenimine. Scanning electron microscopic studies demonstrated an extensive nanofibrillar network, indicating excellent G-quadruplex formation, and rheological analysis confirmed good printing and thixotropic qualities. Additionally, diffusion tests using fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled-dextran (70, 500, and 2000 kDa) showed that nutrients of various molecular weights may diffuse through the hydrogel scaffold. Finally, cells were evenly distributed throughout the printed scaffold, cell survival was 85% after 21 days, and lipid droplet formation was observed after 7 days under adipogenic conditions, indicating successful differentiation and proper cell functioning. To conclude, such hydrogels may enable the 3D bioprinting of customized scaffolds perfectly matching the respective soft tissue defect, thereby potentially improving the outcome of the tissue reconstruction intervention.
Keywords: 3D bioprinting; cell-laden hydrogels; guanosine and derivatives; nucleoside-based hydrogels; printable hydrogels.