Pectin-based bioinks for 3D models of neural tissue produced by a pH-controlled kinetics

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• 3D-bioprinting aims to create tissue constructs using cell-laden materials.
• Mimicking the viscoelastic properties of native brain tissue is crucial for neural cell applications.
• Controlling hydrogel properties is essential for successful 3D-bioprinting and cell viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize pectin-based hydrogel inks for 3D-bioprinting neural cells.
• To investigate the influence of pH and printing time on hydrogel printability and crosslinking kinetics.
• To assess the viability, proliferation, and reorganization of neural cells within the 3D-bioprinted constructs.

Main Methods:

• Investigated viscoelastic properties, printability, and microstructure of pectin gels crosslinked with CaCO3.
• Optimized hydrogel composition including cell culture medium, HEPES buffer, and collagen.
• Utilized various neural cell models (neurons, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes) for 3D-bioprinting.

Main Results:

• A highly controllable method for optimizing polysaccharide printability was established without additives or post-treatments.
• pH was introduced as a key parameter to modulate crosslinking kinetics independently of hydrogel composition.
• Neural cells survived, proliferated, and reorganized the hydrogel microstructure post-3D-bioprinting.

Conclusions:

• Pectin-based hydrogels offer a tunable platform for 3D-bioprinting neural constructs.
• The developed method allows for precise control over hydrogel properties and cell behavior.
• These findings support the application of pectin hydrogels for advanced neural cell culture and tissue engineering.