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Bioprinting Cellularized Constructs Using a Tissue-specific Hydrogel Bioink
Published on: April 21, 2016
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Functionalised type-I collagen as a hydrogel building block for bio-orthogonal tissue engineering applications
R Ravichandran1, M M Islam, E I Alarcon
1Integrative Regenerative Medicine Centre (IGEN) and Division of Molecular Physics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, S-58183, Linköping, Sweden. Jaywant.Phopase@liu.se.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a new collagen-based hydrogel for tissue engineering. This versatile biomaterial can be fabricated into injectable forms or scaffolds, offering tunable properties for cell encapsulation and tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Type I collagen is a primary component of the extracellular matrix.
- Developing injectable hydrogels and scaffolds for regenerative medicine is crucial.
- Existing crosslinking methods can alter collagen's native structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a collagen-based hydrogel system that maintains collagen's triple helical conformation.
- To enable facile hydrogel formation using Michael addition chemistry.
- To provide tunable mechanical properties and degradation rates for diverse biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Derivatization of type I collagen without disrupting its triple helix.
- Utilizing Michael addition of thiols to methacrylates for crosslinking.
- Tuning hydrogel modulus from Pa to kPa and controlling enzymatic degradability.
Main Results:
- Successfully formed collagen hydrogels via a one-step Michael addition reaction.
- Achieved tunable mechanical properties (Pa to kPa) and controlled degradation rates.
- Demonstrated lamellar structures mimicking native collagen fibrils.
- Showcased utility in culturing corneal epithelial cells and encapsulating cardiac progenitor cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a versatile platform for creating injectable hydrogels and implantable scaffolds from type I collagen.
- This approach preserves collagen's native structure, enabling advanced applications in regenerative medicine.
- The tunable nature of these hydrogels supports diverse cell types and tissue engineering strategies.
