Polyurethane-gelatin methacryloyl hybrid ink for 3D printing of biocompatible and tough vascular networks

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Jun 16;58(49):6894-6897. doi: 10.1039/d2cc02176e.

Abstract

A polyurethane-gelatin methacryloyl (PU-GelMA) hybrid ink was developed as a photo-crosslinkable elastic hydrogel. With the additional acrylic monomer, the ink can be tuned to accommodate elasticity and printability. Attributed to the shear-thinning properties of GelMA, PU-GelMA was preferable for extrusion printing. 3D-constructs were printed by direct extrusion or by using a sacrificial scaffold to resemble the vascular networks. The proliferation of endothelial cells on the PU-GelMA hydrogel indicated decent biocompatibility and potential utilization in artificial vessels.

MeSH terms

  • Endothelial Cells
  • Gelatin
  • Hydrogels
  • Ink*
  • Methacrylates
  • Polyurethanes*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tissue Scaffolds

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Methacrylates
  • Polyurethanes
  • gelatin methacryloyl
  • Gelatin