Dual crosslinking strategy to generate mechanically viable cell-laden printable constructs using methacrylated collagen bioinks

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Photopolymerization of methacrylated collagen (CMA) allows for 3D bioprinting of tissue scaffolds with high resolution and print fidelity. However, photochemically crosslinked CMA constructs are mechanically weak and susceptible to expedited enzymatic degradation in vivo. The goal of the current study was to develop a dual crosslinking scheme for the generation of mechanically viable cell-laden printable constructs for tissue engineering applications. Dual crosslinking was performed by first photochemical crosslinking of CMA hydrogels using VA-086 photoinitiator and UV exposure followed by chemical crosslinking with two different concentrations of genipin (i.e., 0.5 mM (low dual) or 1 mM (high dual)). The effect of dual crosslinking conditions on gel morphology, compressive modulus, stability and print fidelity was evaluated. Additionally, human MSCs were encapsulated within CMA hydrogels and the effect of dual crosslinking conditions on viability and metabolic activity was assessed. Uncrosslinked, photochemically crosslinked, and genipin crosslinked CMA hydrogels were used as controls. SEM results showed that gel morphology was maintained upon dual crosslinking. Further, dual crosslinking significantly improved the compressive modulus and degradation time of cell-laden and acellular CMA hydrogels. Cell viability results showed that high cell viability (i.e., >80%) and metaboli

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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