title: Hyaluronic acid and dextran-based semi-IPN hydrogels as biomaterials for bioprinting.
abstract: Bioprinting is a recent technology in tissue engineering used for the design of porous constructs through layer-by-layer deposition of cell-laden material. This technology would benefit from new biomaterials that can fulfill specific requirements for the fabrication of well-defined 3D constructs, such as the preservation of cell viability and adequate mechanical properties. We evaluated the suitability of a novel semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN), based on hyaluronic acid and hydroxyethyl-methacrylate-derivatized dextran (dex-HEMA), to form 3D hydrogel bioprinted constructs. The rheological properties of the solutions allowed proper handling during bioprinting, whereas photopolymerization led to stable constructs of which their mechanical properties matched the wide range of mechanical strengths of natural tissues. Importantly, excellent viability was observed for encapsulated chondrocytes. The results demonstrate the suitability of hyaluronic acid/dex-HEMA semi-IPNs to manufacture bioprinted constructs for tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pescosolido
authors.forename: Wouter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schuurman
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malda
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matricardi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alhaique
authors.forename: Tommasina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coviello
authors.forename: P René
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: van Weeren
authors.forename: Wouter J A
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Dhert
authors.forename: Wim E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Hennink
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vermonden
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003911:Dextrans; D020100:Hydrogels; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid