Modified mannan for 3D bioprinting: a potential novel bioink for tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• 3D Bioprinting

Background:

• 3D bioprinting offers advantages for tissue engineering but is limited by bioink availability.
• Developing new bioinks is crucial for advancing tissue engineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel yeast mannan-derived bioink for 3D bioprinting.
• To assess the cytocompatibility and in vivo performance of the developed bioink for tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Yeast mannan (YM) was modified with methacrylate anhydride (MA) to create three bioinks (YM-MA-1, YM-MA-2, YM-MA-3).
• Cytocompatibility was assessed using the CCK-8 method with chondrocytes.
• In vivo biocompatibility was evaluated after subcutaneous implantation in rats and nude mice.
• 3D bioprinting of chondrocyte-laden hydrogels was performed using stereolithography.

Main Results:

• Methacrylation degree enhanced the mechanical properties of the photo-cured hydrogels.
• YM-MA-1 and YM-MA-2 demonstrated good cytocompatibility with chondrocytes.
• YM-MA-2 exhibited acceptable in vivo biocompatibility in rats.
• 3D printed hydrogels with living chondrocytes were successfully fabricated using YM-MA-2.
• Histological analysis confirmed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II (COLII) secretion in vivo.

Conclusions:

• The novel yeast mannan-derived bioink shows promise for soft tissue engineering, particularly cartilage.
• YM-MA-2 is a suitable bioink for 3D bioprinting applications, supporting cell viability and function.