Gelatin-Methacrylamide Hydrogels as Potential Biomaterials for Fabrication of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage Constructs

• Published in: Macromolecular bioscience Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. 551 - 561
• Main Authors: Schuurman, Wouter, Levett, Peter A., Pot, Michiel W., van Weeren, Paul René, Dhert, Wouter J. A., Hutmacher, Dietmar W., Melchels, Ferry P. W., Klein, Travis J., Malda, Jos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01-05-2013; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Acrylamides - pharmacology; additive manufacturing; Animals; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Bioprinting; Cartilage; Cartilage - drug effects; Cartilage - physiology; Cell Survival - drug effects; Compressive Strength - drug effects; Construction; Cross-Linking Reagents - pharmacology; Crosslinking; DNA - metabolism; Exposure; gelatin; Gelatin - pharmacology; Glycosaminoglycans - metabolism; Horses; Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronic Acid - pharmacology; Hydrogels; Hydrogels - pharmacology; Immunohistochemistry; Materials Testing; Mechanical Phenomena - drug effects; Mechanical properties; Surgical implants; Temperature; Thermoplastic resins; tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 1616-5187; 1616-5195
• DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201200471

Gelatin‐methacrylamide (gelMA) hydrogels are shown to support chondrocyte viability and differentiation and give wide ranging mechanical properties depending on several cross‐linking parameters. Polymer concentration, UV exposure time, and thermal gelation prior to UV exposure allow for control over hydrogel stiffness and swelling properties. GelMA solutions have a low viscosity at 37 °C, which is incompatible with most biofabrication approaches. However, incorporation of hyaluronic acid (HA) and/or co‐deposition with thermoplastics allows gelMA to be used in biofabrication processes. These attributes may allow engineered constructs to match the natural functional variations in cartilage mechanical and geometrical properties.
Gelatin‐methacrylamide (gelMA) hydrogel mechanical properties are predictably tuned by varying the crosslinking conditions. These gels also support chondrocyte survival and function. Furthermore, addition of hyaluronic acid and co‐printing with thermoplastics allows for biofabrication with gelMA. These attributes may allow engineered constructs to match the natural functional variations in the mechanical and geometrical properties of cartilage.