Sonication Induced Self-Folding Hydrogels Based on SilMA-GelMA Composites for Cell-Laden Tissue Engineering...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Swelling-dependent self-folding hydrogels are promising for tissue engineering but struggle with cell growth in passive layers.
• Current hydrogel systems require improvement for enhanced cellular integration and complex construct fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel swelling-dependent bilayer hydrogels using biocompatible SilMA-GelMA composites.
• To investigate the effect of sonication on silk fibroin structure and hydrogel properties.
• To create a platform for cell-laden tubular tissue engineering constructs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sonication-photocrosslinking strategy to create bilayer hydrogels from methacrylated silk fibroin and methacrylated gelatin (SilMA-GelMA).
• Sonication induced beta-sheet formation in silk fibroin, creating a stable, less swellable passive layer.
• Characterized swelling ratio, mechanical properties, degradation, and self-folding behavior of the hydrogels.
• Encapsulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to assess cellular viability and proliferation.

Main Results:

• Optimized bilayer hydrogels (GS5 active, GSS5 passive) demonstrated efficient self-folding into complete tubular structures.
• Significant differences in swelling, mechanical properties, and degradation were observed between sonicated and nonsonicated layers.
• High cellular viability and proliferation of HUVECs were maintained in both hydrogel layers over 5 days.
• The sonication strategy successfully created a stable passive layer without compromising cell viability.

Conclusions:

• Developed a biocompatible and biodegradable swelling-dependent self-folding hydrogel system.
• The sonication-photocrosslinking method enables controlled hydrogel properties for self-folding.
• This hydrogel platform supports cell viability and proliferation, suitable for tubular tissue engineering applications like vascular grafts and hollow organs.