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3D Bioprintable Hypoxia-Mimicking PEG-Based Nano Bioink for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Subhashini Ravi1, L P Pavithra Chokkakula2, Pravin Shankar Giri1
1Regenerative Medicine and Stem cell Laboratory (RMS), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi 502284, Telangana, India.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 14, 2023
Summary
This study developed a hypoxia-mimicking bioink using cobalt nanowires in a hydrogel to promote cartilage repair. The novel material effectively supported stem cell differentiation into chondrocytes, offering a promising strategy for articular cartilage defects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Hypoxia is crucial for cartilage formation and maintenance.
- Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) regulates stem cell fate.
- Cobalt (Co) can induce hypoxia in vitro by stabilizing HIF-1α.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a 3D bioprintable, hypoxia-mimicking nano bioink for cartilage tissue engineering.
- To investigate the effect of cobalt nanowires (Co NWs) on chondrogenic differentiation of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UMSCs).
- To assess the potential of Co NW-incorporated hydrogels for articular cartilage repair.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of Co NWs into a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel to create a nano bioink.
- Rheological optimization and 3D bioprinting of stable cartilaginous constructs.
- Evaluation of physicochemical properties, mechanical strength, cell viability, proliferation, and chondrogenic marker expression (histology, immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR).
Main Results:
- PEGDA+Co NW bioink demonstrated superior print fidelity and mechanical properties compared to PEGDA alone.
- Low concentrations of Co NWs (<20 ppm) supported UMSC adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.
- Bioprinted constructs showed production of type 2 collagen (COL2) and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), indicating chondrogenesis.
- Significant upregulation of hypoxia-mediated chondrogenic markers and downregulation of hypertrophic/osteogenic markers were observed.
Conclusions:
- The hypoxia-mimicking PEGDA+Co NW hydrogel system effectively directs UMSCs toward chondrocyte lineage.
- This approach avoids the need for expensive growth factors, presenting a cost-effective strategy.
- The developed nano bioink is a feasible option for translational applications in cartilage tissue engineering.
