Arnaud Kamdem Tamo (Jena, DE; Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE), Tuan Anh Tran (Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE; Jena, DE), Dr. Ingo Doench (Jena, DE; Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE), Shaghayegh Jahangir (Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE; Jena, DE), Alexandra Montembault (Jena, DE; Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE), Guillaume Sudre (Jena, DE; Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE), Professor Andreas Walther (Jena, DE; Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE), Carlos Peniche-Covas (Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE; Jena, DE), Professor Laurent David (Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE; Jena, DE), Professor Anayancy Osorio-Madrazo (Jena, DE; Heilbad Heiligenstadt, DE)
Abstract text (incl. figure legends and references)
Introduction
The tissue engineering field favors the development of biomaterials that can support cell growth and regeneration, while being biocompatible, mechanically functional, biodegradable. Hydrogel biomaterials have lots of biomedical applications, like in wound healing, cartilage repair, organ regeneration.
Objectives
We aim to develop functional hydrogels, which mimic tissue extracellular matrix by combining cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and chitosan (CHI) hydrogel in extrusion 3D printing.
Materials & methods
The flow behavior of CNF-filled CHI suspensions was investigated by rheology. The mechanical properties of the printed CHI/CNF hydrogels was study by tensile testing. Fibroblast cells viability was assessed by LIVE/DEAD assays. CNF biodegradation was enzymatically studied during cell culture.
Results
CNFs improved the extrudability of CHI-based inks, resolution, stability of printed constructs. The Newtonian viscosity of CHI-based inks increased at adding the CNFs. The nanofibers improved gelation and mechanical properties of printed hydrogels, in systems of low CHI and CNF concentrations. Young"s modulus and strength as high as 3.0 MPa and 1.5 MPa, respectively, were achieved for hydrogels of c(CHI) of 2% and CNF content of 0.4%. Cell adhesion, proliferation and 3D cell growth was observed within the constructs. Cellulase-laden CHI/CNF scaffolds were also printed, allowing controlled biodegradation of hydrogels. The CNF biodegradation contributed to the sustained formation of pores in the CHI/CNF constructs, allowing cells for controlled infiltration and enhanced 3D cell growth.
Conclusion
The results are promising for the successful engineering of functional tissues. Design strategies for natural smart biomaterials, which are mechanically-performant, biocompatible, presenting controlled degradability for 3D cell growth were proposed. The developed biomaterials are expected to significantly impact tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.