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Evaluating Cross-Linking Efficiency and Cytocompatibility of Three Commonly Used Photoinitiators across Different
Aya Gavish Moscovitz1, Haneen Simaan Yameen1,2, Orit Bar-Am1
1The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel.
Biomacromolecules
|September 22, 2025
Summary
Optimizing photoinitiator (PI) concentration and light intensity is crucial for cross-linking biomedical hydrogels. Different hydrogel materials, including synthetic, semisynthetic, and protein-based, require distinct photopolymerization conditions for efficient cross-linking and minimal cell death.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Biomedical hydrogels are essential for tissue engineering and drug delivery.
- Photopolymerization is a common cross-linking strategy for hydrogel fabrication.
- Limited cyto-compatible photoinitiators (PIs) exist, including Irgacure 2959, lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), and Eosin Y.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize photopolymerization parameters for efficient cross-linking of various hydrogel types.
- To investigate the impact of PI concentration and illumination intensity on hydrogel properties.
- To compare the cross-linking behavior of synthetic, semisynthetic, and protein-based hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Tested three common photoinitiators (Irgacure 2959, LAP, Eosin Y).
- Evaluated hydrogels: poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEG-DA), PEG-fibrinogen (PF), and methacrylated fibrinogen (FibMA).
- Measured cross-linking efficiency via shear storage modulus under varying PI concentrations and illumination intensities.
Main Results:
- PI concentration and illumination intensity significantly affected cross-linking efficiency across all hydrogel types.
- Each material exhibited unique responses to photopolymerization parameters.
- Optimal cross-linking conditions differed between synthetic/semisynthetic hydrogels and modified protein hydrogels.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel material composition dictates optimal photopolymerization conditions.
- Tailoring cross-linking strategies is vital for successful application of cell-compatible hydrogels.
- Findings have implications for designing and fabricating hydrogels for diverse biomedical uses.
