Structural reinforcement of cell-laden hydrogels with microfabricated three dimensional scaffolds

• DOI: 10.1039/c3bm60210a
• Publication Date: 2013-11-13T10:07:15Z
• Authors: Chaenyung Cha; Pranav Soman; Wei Zhu; Mehdi Nikkhah; Gulden Camci-Unal; Shaochen Chen; Ali Khademhosseini
• Keywords: Gelatin; Biocompatibility; Cell encapsulation

Hydrogels commonly used in tissue engineering are mechanically soft, thus often display structural weakness. Herein, we introduce a strategy for enhancing the integrity and fracture toughness of cell-laden hydrogels by incorporating three-dimensional (3D) microfabricated scaffold as element. A digital micromirror device projection printing (DMD-PP) system, rapid prototyping technology which employs layer-by-layer stereolithographic approach, was utilized to efficiently fabricate 3D scaffolds made from photocrosslinkable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). The incorporated into gelatin hydrogel placing it pre-gel solution, inducing situ formation. resulting scaffold-reinforced demonstrated significant increase ultimate stress provided support weak hydrogels. In addition, did not affect rigidity hydrogels, involved crosslinking reaction form hydrogel. Therefore, presented approach could avoid inadvertent undesired changes is known regulator cellular activities. Furthermore, biocompatibility confirmed evaluating viability proliferation encapsulated fibroblasts. Overall, reinforcements this study will be highly useful mechanical various applications.