Gelatin vs GelMA in alginate-based bioinks as a platform for versatile 3D bioprintable in vitro systems
Source: https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/359949/ Parent: https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/view/project_code/315918.html
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Gelatin vs GelMA in alginate-based bioinks as a platform for versatile 3D bioprintable in vitro systems
Sanchez-Rubio, Alvaro, Hope, Lauren, Barcelona-Estaje, Eva, Jayawarna, Vineetha, Williams, Jonathan and Salmeron-Sanchez, Manuel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8112-2100 (2025) Gelatin vs GelMA in alginate-based bioinks as a platform for versatile 3D bioprintable in vitro systems. Biomaterials Advances, 177, 214408. (doi: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2025.214408)
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Abstract
3D in vitro model systems, such as hydrogels, have garnered popularity due to their ability to more accurately recapitulate in vivo environments compared to 2D cell culture systems. However, methods which involve casting hydrogels by hand may be time consuming, have poor reproducibility, and reduced capacity to generate complex structures. Hence, 3D bioprinting has emerged as a useful tool for the high throughput production of in vitro tissue models such as hydrogels and complex constructs. Here, we demonstrate the mechanical properties, printability, and ability to support single cells and spheroids in culture for two highly characterised composite bioinks: Alginate/Gelatin (AlgGel), which is ionically crosslinked, and Alginate/Gelatin Methacrylate (GelMA) (AlgGelMA), whereby the GelMA is crosslinked by illumination with UV light. In this study, we engineered gels that exhibit a wide range of stiffnesses, which vary due to the concentration of crosslinking polymer present. AlgGel hydrogels were softer (1.5–4.5 kPa), and stiffness decreased with time in culture, however, AlgGelMA hydrogels were stiffer (6–40 kPa), and the stiffness increased with time. Microarchitectural studies using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Microcomputed Tomography (μCT) revealed that hydrogels produced using both bioinks bore a highly porous structure, further simulating in vivo conditions. To assess the ability of both bioink families to support cell culture, the Acute Myeloid Leukaemia cell line THP-1 and human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) as single cells and spheroids were bioprinted in each bioink. Interestingly, THP-1 cells formed larger clusters when cultured within AlgGel bioinks compared to AlgGelMA. Additionally, hMSCs appeared to be unable to migrate through the AlgGel matrix, as single hMSCs displayed rounded morphologies and hMSC spheroid shape was not disrupted after seven days. Contrastingly, hMSCs and spheroids cultured within AlgGelMA hydrogels were able to invade the gel matrix and migrate. Together, these data demonstrate that both AlgGel and AlgGelMA bioinks show promise for use as the basis of 3D bioprinted in vitro tissue models.
| Item Type: | Articles |
| Additional Information: | We acknowledge financial support from the European Research Council AdG (Devise, 101054728 to M.S..S) and EPSRC HT2050 grant (EP/X033554/1 to M.S.S) L.H and A,S,R were funded by the LIFETIME CDT and Medical Research Scotland (PhD 1175-2017) respectively. IBEC is a recipient of a Severo Ochoa Award of Excellence from MINCIN and member of CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. |
| Keywords: | Alginate, Gelma, bioprinting, stem cells, endothelial cells. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Sanchez-Rubio, Alvaro and Jayawarna, Dr Vineetha and Salmeron-Sanchez, Professor Manuel and Hope, Miss Lauren and Barcelona Estaje, Eva |
| Creator Roles: | Sanchez-Rubio, A.Writing – original draft, Methodology, Investigation, Data curation, Conceptualization Hope, L.Writing – original draft, Methodology, Investigation Barcelona Estaje, E.Writing – review and editing, Investigation Jayawarna, V.Methodology, Investigation Salmeron-Sanchez, M.Writing – review and editing, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization |
| Authors: | Sanchez-Rubio, A., Hope, L., Barcelona-Estaje, E., Jayawarna, V., Williams, J., and Salmeron-Sanchez, M. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences College of Science and Engineering College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering |
| Journal Name: | Biomaterials Advances |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 2772-9516 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2772-9508 |
| Published Online: | 09 June 2025 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2025 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Biomaterials Advances 177:214408 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
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Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information
Project Code
Award No
Project Name
Principal Investigator
Funder's Name
Funder Ref
Lead Dept
DEVISE - Engineered viscoelasticity in regenerative microenvironments
Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez
101054728
ENG - Biomedical Engineering
Mechanobiology-based medicine - Phase 2
Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
EP/X033554/1
ENG - Biomedical Engineering
Development of Novel Bio-links for 3D Printed Bone Graft
Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez
Medical Research Scotland (MEDRESSC)
PHD-1175-2017
ENG - Biomedical Engineering
Deposit and Record Details
| ID Code: | 359949 |
| Depositing User: | Ms Gail Annan |
| Datestamp: | 15 Jul 2025 11:15 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jul 2025 01:32 |
| Date of acceptance: | 8 July 2025 |
| Date of first online publication: | 9 June 2025 |
| Date Deposited: | 15 July 2025 |
| Data Availability Statement: | Yes |
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