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One‐Step Photoactivation of a Dual‐Functionalized Bioink as Cell Carrier and Cartilage‐Binding Glue for Chondral Regeneration
Author(s) -
Lim Khoon S.,
Abinzano Florencia,
Bernal Pauliuñez,
Albillos Sanchez Ane,
AtienzaRoca Pau,
Otto Iris A.,
Peiffer Quentin C.,
Matsusaki Michiya,
Woodfield Tim B. F.,
Malda Jos,
Levato Riccardo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201901792
Subject(s) - cartilage , gelatin , self healing hydrogels , chondrocyte , materials science , chondrogenesis , regeneration (biology) , biomedical engineering , biophysics , chemistry , anatomy , polymer chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , medicine , biology
Cartilage defects can result in pain, disability, and osteoarthritis. Hydrogels providing a chondroregeneration‐permissive environment are often mechanically weak and display poor lateral integration into the surrounding cartilage. This study develops a visible‐light responsive gelatin ink with enhanced interactions with the native tissue, and potential for intraoperative bioprinting. A dual‐functionalized tyramine and methacryloyl gelatin (GelMA‐Tyr) is synthesized. Photo‐crosslinking of both groups is triggered in a single photoexposure by cell‐compatible visible light in presence of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) and sodium persulfate as initiators. Neo‐cartilage formation from embedded chondroprogenitor cells is demonstrated in vitro, and the hydrogel is successfully applied as bioink for extrusion‐printing. Visible light in situ crosslinking in cartilage defects results in no damage to the surrounding tissue, in contrast to the native chondrocyte death caused by UV light (365–400 nm range), commonly used in biofabrication. Tyramine‐binding to proteins in native cartilage leads to a 15‐fold increment in the adhesive strength of the bioglue compared to pristine GelMA. Enhanced adhesion is observed also when the ink is extruded as printable filaments into the defect. Visible‐light reactive GelMA‐Tyr bioinks can act as orthobiologic carriers for in situ cartilage repair, providing a permissive environment for chondrogenesis, and establishing safe lateral integration into chondral defects.