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Controlling Microparticle Aspect Ratio via Photolithography for Injectable Granular Hydrogel Formation and Cell
Dean E Stornello1, Jun Kim1, Zhiyuan Chen1,2
1Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette 47907-2050, Indiana, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 9, 2025
Summary
Injectable granular hydrogels using high-aspect-ratio microparticles show promise for biomedical applications. Varying particle shape significantly influences cell proliferation and material properties, enhancing cell guidance and viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Granular hydrogels are injectable, porous biomaterials formed from packed microparticles.
- Asymmetric, high-aspect-ratio particles can enhance hydrogel mechanics and cell guidance.
- Fabricating precisely tailored microparticles for granular hydrogels remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how controlled changes in microparticle aspect ratio affect granular hydrogel injectability, porosity, and cell-instructive capabilities.
- To develop a facile method for fabricating high-aspect-ratio microparticles for granular hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Photolithography and photocurable hyaluronic acid were used to create rod-shaped microparticles with aspect ratios (ARs) from 2 to 10.
- Granular hydrogels were formed using centrifugation jamming.
- Injectability was tested via syringe extrusion, and cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation (NIH/3T3 fibroblasts) were assessed over 7 days.
Main Results:
- All fabricated microparticle ARs formed porous and injectable granular hydrogels.
- High-AR microparticles demonstrated good pliability, preventing needle clogging and fracture during extrusion.
- Cells remained viable, adhered to particles, and showed significant proliferation, with intermediate ARs promoting higher cell numbers due to increased surface area.
Conclusions:
- Injectable granular hydrogels fabricated with high-aspect-ratio microparticles offer significant potential for biomedical applications.
- Microparticle aspect ratio is a critical design parameter influencing hydrogel injectability, mechanics, and cell response.
- These findings highlight the utility of tailored microparticle geometry for advanced biomaterial design.
