A thermo-responsive and photo-polymerizable chondroitin sulfate-based hydrogel for 3D printing applications

A. Abbadessa, M. M. Blokzijl, V. H. M. Mouser, P. Marica, J. Malda, W. E. Hennink, T. Vermonden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The aim ofthis study was to design a hydrogel system based on methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (CSMA)
and a thermo-sensitive poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide-mono/dilactate)-polyethylene glycol
triblock copolymer (M15P10) as a suitable material for additive manufacturing of scaffolds. CSMA was
synthesized by reaction of chondroitin sulfate with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in dimethylsulfoxide
at 50 ◦C and its degree of methacrylation was tunable up to 48.5%, by changing reaction time and GMA
feed. Unlike polymer solutions composed of CSMA alone (20% w/w), mixtures based on 2% w/w of CSMA
and 18% of M15P10 showed strain-softening, thermo-sensitive and shear-thinning properties more pronounced
than those found for polymer solutions based on M15P10 alone. Additionally, they displayed a
yield stress of 19.2 ± 7.0 Pa. The 3D printing of this hydrogel resulted in the generation of constructs with
tailorable porosity and good handling properties. Finally, embedded chondrogenic cells remained viable
and proliferating over a culture period of 6 days. The hydrogel described herein represents a promising
biomaterial for cartilage 3D printing applications.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-174
JournalCarbohydrate polymers
Volume149
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Sept 2016

Keywords

  • Methacrylated chondroitin sulfate
  • Thermo-sensitive hydrogel
  • Photo-polymerization
  • Shear thinning
  • Cartilage 3D printing

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