Cell-Laden Gelatin Methacryloyl Bioink for the Fabrication of Z-Stacked Hydrogel Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

• Main Authors: Jeong Wook Seo, Joon Ho Moon, Goo Jang, Woo Kyung Jung, Yong Ho Park, Kun Taek Park, Su Ryon Shin, Yu-Shik Hwang, Hojae Bae
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: polymerization; Z-stacking bioprinting; Z-stacked scaffold; GelMA; tissue engineering
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/12/3027

Hydrogel-based scaffolds have been widely used to fabricate artificial tissues capable of replacing tissues and organs. However, several challenges inherent in fabricating tissues of large size and complex morphology using such scaffolds while ensuring cell viability remain. To address this problem, we synthesized gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) based bioink with cells for fabricating a scaffold with superior characteristics. The bioink was grafted onto a Z-stacking bioprinter that maintained the cells at physiological temperature during the printing process, without exerting any physical pressure on the cells. Various parameters, such as the bioink composition and light exposure time, were optimized. The printing accuracy of the scaffolds was evaluated using photorheological studies. The internal morphology of the scaffolds at different time points was analyzed using electron microscopy. The Z-stacked scaffolds were fabricated using high-speed printing, with the conditions optimized to achieve high model reproducibility. Stable adhesion and high proliferation of cells encapsulated within the scaffold were confirmed. We introduced various strategies to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of Z-stack GelMA bioprinting while ensuring that the scaffolds facilitated cell adhesion, encapsulation, and proliferation. Our results demonstrate the potential of the present method for various applications in tissue engineering.