Assessing mesh size and diffusion of alginate bioinks: A crucial factor for successful bioprinting functional...

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has been utilised for the encapsulation of pancreatic islets for potentially treating type 1 diabetes. A crucial factor in selecting a cell compatible bioink, that maintains islet functionality, is the mesh size and diffusion capacity of the bioink. In this study, we present a screening strategy for alginate hydrogel formulations in three-dimensional bioprinting, utilizing the fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) method and measuring the mesh size of the hydrogels. Subsequently, the 1.5 % alginate formulation that had been selected was used to bioprint the INS1E cell line, primary rat islets, or human islets. It was demonstrated that cell viability and functionality were maintained in all cell sources. This was evidenced by the observation that bioprinted pancreatic islets exhibited a response to physiological glucose levels. The present study indicates that both FRAP and hydrogel mesh size measurements are effective tools for predicting the diffusion of hormones through a hydrogel. These measures should therefore be incorporated into future screenings of hydrogel compositions for the 3D bioprinting of islets.