Development of phenol-grafted polyglucuronic acid and its application to extrusion-based bioprinting inks

In this present work, we developed a phenol grafted polyglucuronic acid (PGU) and investigated the usefulness in tissue engineering field by using this derivative as a bioink component allowing gelation in extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. The PGU derivative was obtained by conjugating with tyramine, and the aqueous solution of the derivative was curable through a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed reaction. From 2.0 w/v% solution of the derivative containing 5 U/mL HRP, hydrogel constructs were successfully obtained with a good shape fidelity to blueprints. Mouse fibroblasts and human hepatoma cells enclosed in the printed constructs showed about 95% viability the day after printing and survived for 11 days of study without a remarkable decrease in viability. These results demonstrate the great potential of the PGU derivative in tissue engineering field especially as an ink component of extrusion-based 3D bioprinting.

Automated summary

The PGU derivative developed in this study showed promising gelation ability in extrusion-based 3D bioprinting, resulting in hydrogel constructs with good shape fidelity. Both mouse fibroblasts and human hepatoma cells enclosed in the printed constructs exhibited approximately 95% viability the day after printing and maintained high viability for 11 days of study without significant decrease. These results highlight the great potential of the PGU derivative in tissue engineering, particularly as an ink component in extrusion-based 3D bioprinting.