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Introduction: Three-dimensional bioprinting (3DBP) relies on extrusion-based methods for the printing process, however such methods are known to reduce cell viability due to the introduction of shear forces during extrusion. Additionally, the incorporation of solid elements into bioinks such as ceramic particles that may support bone growth, leads to increased shear forces during 3DBP leading to additional decreases in cell viability [1]. An innovative approach to overcoming these limitations is to develop hybrid bioinks where the inorganic osteopromotive components will be chemically linked with the organic matrix. To achieve the greatest degree of homogenization between the osteopromotive component(s) and the polymer matrix, it is required an in situ synthesis method. This work aims to utilize an innovative approach that combines a methacryloyl functionalized collagen-derived gelatin (GelMA) with an Ag-doped bioactive glass (GAB) to deliver a novel osteopromotive and antibacterial hybrid hydrogel material. Chemical, structural, and antibacterial characteristics of the new hybrid material GAB were studied. Methodology: The synthesis of GelMA is performed as described in the literature [2,3] and then the solution was frozen and lyophilized before storage. For the synthesis of GAB hybrid material, the lyophilized GelMA is dissolved in DMSO, a coupling agent 3-Glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) is added to the solution. The sol-gel process was used to synthesize the Ag-doped bioactive glass (Ag-BaG) following previously described methods [4]. The combination of the solutions leads to precipitation, then washes and lyophilization to prevent the materials characteristics from changing during storage. Prior to the further use, lyophilized GAB was dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) along with the photoinitiator and photopolymerized producing GAB hybrid hydrogels. Structural characterization, performance, printability, and antibacterial properties were studied. Results: Rheological evaluation found the GAB exhibited shear thinning behavior, which is a preferential characteristic for printability. The incorporation of the Ag-BaG was found to be homogenous at the molecular level that led the GAB to exhibit less amount of swelling and the slow degradation behavior compared to GelMA alone. Significant antibacterial inhibition was achieved by GAB against MRSA. Conclusions: GAB is expected to be suitable for extrusion-based 3DBP technologies and expected to improve cell viability of the 3D printed constructs due to the absence of particulate components. The antibacterial characteristics can advance the performance and success of the printed constructs.
20941856968
