Three-Dimensional Printing and Injectable Conductive Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Application

The goal of tissue engineering scaffolds is to simulate the physiological microenvironment, in which the electrical microenvironment is an important part. Hydrogel is an ideal material for tissue engineering scaffolds because of its soft, porous, water-bearing, and other extracellular matrix-like properties. However, the hydrogel matrix is usually not conductive and can hinder the communication of electrical signals between cells, which promotes researchers' attention to conductive hydrogels. Conductive hydrogels can promote the communication of electrical signals between cells and simulate the physiological microenvironment of electroactive tissues. Hydrogel formation is an important step for the application of hydrogels in tissue engineering. In situ forming of injectable hydrogels and customized forming of three-dimensional (3D) printing hydrogels represent two most potential advanced forming processes, respectively. In this review, we discuss (i) the classification, properties, and advantages of conductive hydrogels, (ii) the latest development of conductive hydrogels applied in myocardial, nerve, and bone tissue engineering, (iii) advanced forming processes, including injectable conductive hydrogels in situ and customized 3D printed conductive hydrogels, (iv) the challenges and opportunities of conductive hydrogels for tissue engineering. Impact Statement Biomimetic construction of electro-microenvironment is a challenge of tissue engineering. The development of conductive hydrogels provides possibility for the construction of biomimetic electro-microenvironment. However, the importance of conductive hydrogels in tissue engineering has not received enough attention so far. Herein, various conductive hydrogels and their tissue engineering applications are systematically reviewed. Two potential methods of conductive hydrogel forming, in situ forming of injectable conductive hydrogels and customized forming of three-dimensional printing conductive hydrogels, are introduced. The current challenges and future development directions of conductive hydrogels are comprehensively overviewed. This review provides a guideline for tissue engineering applications of conductive hydrogels.