Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 24, 2025
Ceramic Omnidirectional Bioprinting in Cell-Laden Suspensions for the Generation of Bone Analogs
Published on: August 8, 2022
3D printed double-network alginate hydrogels containing polyphosphate for bioenergetics and bone regeneration
Minghao Zhang1, Tianbao Qian2, Ziwei Deng1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
This study presents a novel 3D-printable hydrogel for bone regeneration. The double-network hydrogel enhances mechanical strength, bioactivity, and promotes cell energy for improved bone tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Hydrogels face limitations in mechanical strength, processability, and bioactivity for bone tissue engineering.
- Developing advanced hydrogels is crucial for creating complex scaffolds and promoting bone regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a 3D-printable, osteoinductive, and bioenergetic-active double-network (DN) hydrogel.
- To enhance mechanical properties, processability, and cellular activity for bone regeneration applications.
Main Methods:
- A two-step method was used to synthesize the DN hydrogel using sodium alginate (SA), poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), and sodium polyphosphate (PolyP).
- The hydrogel's mechanical properties were improved through synergistic covalent and ionic cross-linking.
- The bioactivity and bioenergetic effects were investigated through in vitro studies, including cell migration and osteogenic differentiation assays.
Main Results:
- The developed DN hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical strength and superior 3D printing performance for complex scaffolds.
- Incorporation of PolyP significantly improved hydrogel bioactivity and cellular bioenergetics, increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content.
- In vitro osseointegration studies showed accelerated osteogenic differentiation due to PolyP degradation fragments providing phosphate units for calcium phosphate formation.
Conclusions:
- The novel 3D-printable, bioenergetic-active, osteoinductive DN hydrogel addresses limitations in current bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
- This hydrogel shows significant potential for applications in energy-crucial bone tissue regeneration, particularly for complex defect repair.
