title: Gelatin methacrylamide hydrogel with graphene nanoplatelets for neural cell-laden 3D bioprinting.
abstract: Nervous system is extremely complex which leads to rare regrowth of nerves once injury or disease occurs. Advanced 3D bioprinting strategy, which could simultaneously deposit biocompatible materials, cells and supporting components in a layer-by-layer manner, may be a promising solution to address neural damages. Here we presented a printable nano-bioink composed of gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA), neural stem cells, and bioactive graphene nanoplatelets to target nerve tissue regeneration in the assist of stereolithography based 3D bioprinting technique. We found the resultant GelMA hydrogel has a higher compressive modulus with an increase of GelMA concentration. The porous GelMA hydrogel can provide a biocompatible microenvironment for the survival and growth of neural stem cells. The cells encapsulated in the hydrogel presented good cell viability at the low GelMA concentration. Printed neural construct exhibited well-defined architecture and homogenous cell distribution. In addition, neural stem cells showed neuron differentiation and neurites elongation within the printed construct after two weeks of culture. These findings indicate the 3D bioprinted neural construct has great potential for neural tissue regeneration.
authors.lastname: Wei Zhu
authors.forename: Brent T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Lijie Grace
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D062028:Bioprinting / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D006108:Graphite; D005780:Gelatin; C045985:methacrylamide