A novel GelMA-OrnMA electrically conductive bioink for developing engineered neural tissues.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Electrically conductive matrices are crucial for neural tissue engineering but often compromise transparency, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility.
• Existing conductive materials may involve synthetic polymers, nanomaterials, and ionic species, with potential degradation byproduct concerns.
• There is a need for electrically active matrices that combine conductivity, suitable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and bioprinting capabilities for neural applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, optically transparent, electrically conductive, and highly biocompatible hydrogel matrix for neural tissue engineering.
• To synthesize and characterize gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) composite hydrogels incorporating zwitterionic functional groups derived from ornithine (ornithine methacryloyl, OrnMA).
• To evaluate the suitability of the GelMA-OrnMA hydrogels for supporting human astrocyte proliferation and influencing their growth in 3D culture.

Main Methods:

• Covalent incorporation of zwitterionic functional groups derived from ornithine methacryloyl (OrnMA) into gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA).
• Fabrication of GelMA-OrnMA composite hydrogels.
• Assessment of hydrogel properties including optical transparency, electrical conductivity, and mechanical stiffness.
• Evaluation of human astrocyte proliferation and morphology in 3D hydrogel cultures.

Main Results:

• The developed GelMA-OrnMA hydrogels are optically transparent, electrically conductive, and highly biocompatible.
• The hydrogels exhibit stiffness matching native neural tissues.
• GelMA-OrnMA matrices supported human astrocyte proliferation in 3D culture and demonstrated electrical conductivity suitable for astrocytes.
• The electrical conductivity of the matrices influenced astrocyte organization and morphology.

Conclusions:

• GelMA-OrnMA hydrogels represent a promising novel biomaterial for neural tissue engineering.
• The combination of optical transparency, electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, and tunable mechanical properties makes these hydrogels suitable for engineered neural tissues.
• The observed influence on astrocyte growth highlights the potential of these electrically active matrices for developing functional neural constructs.