Gelatin Methacrylate Coating on 3D-Printed Poly(esterurethane) Scaffolds Improves Cell Adhesion and Proliferation

A key challenge in tissue engineering is developing scaffolds that balance mechanical strength and bioactivity. Segmented poly(esterurethanes) (SPEU) are versatile polymers widely used in biomedical applications, particularly in the fabrication of elastomeric scaffolds for tissue engineering. Their mechanical properties and degradation rates can be tailored by modifying their chemical composition and morphology. However, the inherent hydrophobicity of SPEU often limits cell adhesion and proliferation, affecting their biocompatibility. To address this issue, surface modification, such as controlled dip-coating in gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), was explored in this work to enhance cell-material interactions. 3D-printed SPEU60 structures (with 60% hard segment content) are fabricated, surface-modified, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and goniometry. The ability of these scaffolds to support cell adhesion, proliferation, and viability, is evaluated in vitro using lentivirus transfected green fluorescent 3T3-L1 murine preadipocyte cells. Results from these biological activity assays demonstrate that the GelMA coating significantly enhances the cellular response. In conclusion, these GelMA-SPEU60 structures can be considered extracellular matrices suitable for tissue engineering applications.