Extrusion‐Based 3D Bioprinting of Adhesive Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Using Hybrid Functionalized Hydrogel Bioinks

• Published in: Advanced biology 2023-07, Vol.7 (7), p.e2300124-n/a
• Main Authors: Chen, Shuai, Tomov, Martin L., Ning, Liqun, Gil, Carmen J., Hwang, Boeun, Bauser‐Heaton, Holly, Chen, Haifeng, Serpooshan, Vahid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D bioprinting; adhesion properties; adhesive tissue engineering scaffolds; dopamine‐modified methacrylated hyaluronic acid; gelatin methacrylate
• ISSN: 2701-0198; 2701-0198
• DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300124

Adhesive tissue engineering scaffolds (ATESs) have emerged as an innovative alternative means, replacing sutures and bioglues, to secure the implants onto target tissues. Relying on their intrinsic tissue adhesion characteristics, ATES systems enable minimally invasive delivery of various scaffolds. This study investigates development of the first class of 3D bioprinted ATES constructs using functionalized hydrogel bioinks. Two ATES delivery strategies, in situ printing onto the adherend versus printing and then transferring to the target surface, are tested using two bioprinting methods, embedded versus air printing. Dopamine‐modified methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA‐Dopa) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) are used as the main bioink components, enabling fabrication of scaffolds with enhanced adhesion and crosslinking properties. Results demonstrate that dopamine modification improved adhesive properties of the HAMA‐Dopa/GelMA constructs under various loading conditions, while maintaining their structural fidelity, stability, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility. While directly printing onto the adherend yields superior adhesive strength, embedded printing followed by transfer to the target tissue demonstrates greater potential for translational applications. Together, these results demonstrate the potential of bioprinted ATESs as off‐the‐shelf medical devices for diverse biomedical applications. Adhesive tissue engineering scaffolds (ATESs) are fabricated using air and embedded extrusion‐based bioprinting approaches, using functionalized hybrid bioinks, including gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and dopamine‐modified methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA). In situ air bioprinting of ATES onto the adherend results in superior adhesive strength in comparison to embedded printed scaffolds. However, the embedded bioprints demonstrate greater potential as off‐the‐shelf products for translational applications.