Characterization of a Bioink Combining Extracellular Matrix-like Hydrogel with Osteosarcoma Cells: Preliminary Results
Giada Loi,
Gaia Stucchi,
Franca Scocozza,
Laura Cansolino,
Francesca Cadamuro,
Elena Delgrosso,
Federica Riva,
Cinzia Ferrari,
Laura Russo,
Michele Conti
Affiliations
Giada Loi
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Gaia Stucchi
Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Franca Scocozza
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Laura Cansolino
Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Francesca Cadamuro
Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
Elena Delgrosso
Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Federica Riva
Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Cinzia Ferrari
Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Laura Russo
Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
Michele Conti
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting allows the production of artificial 3D cellular microenvironments thanks to the controlled spatial deposition of bioinks. Proper bioink characterization is required to achieve the essential characteristics of printability and biocompatibility for 3D bioprinting. In this work, a protocol to standardize the experimental characterization of a new bioink is proposed. A functionalized hydrogel based on gelatin and chitosan was used. The protocol was divided into three steps: pre-printing, 3D bioprinting, and post-printing. For the pre-printing step, the hydrogel formulation and its repeatability were evaluated. For the 3D-bioprinting step, the hydrogel-printability performance was assessed through qualitative and quantitative tests. Finally, for the post-printing step, the hydrogel biocompatibility was investigated using UMR-106 cells. The hydrogel was suitable for printing grids with good resolution from 4 h after the cross-linker addition. To guarantee a constant printing pressure, it was necessary to set the extruder to 37 °C. Furthermore, the hydrogel was shown to be a valid biomaterial for the UMR-106 cells’ growth. However, fragmentation of the constructs appeared after 14 days, probably due to the negative osteosarcoma-cell interference. The protocol that we describe here denotes a strong approach to bioink characterization to improve standardization for future biomaterial screening and development.
