Synthesis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and biocompatibility study of SLA 3D printable biopolymer hydrogel

Abstract

Purpose: The demonstration of the production, SEM investigation and study of the biocompatibility of a biopolymerbased 3D printed hydrogel. Materials and methods: Hydrogel samples with 1 and 2 mm thickness were planned by Ansys SpaceClaim (Ansys Inc, USA) 3D modeling software. The biodegradable methacrylated-poly-γ-glutamic-acid (MPGA) polymer-based hydrogel were produced by a stereolithographic (SLA) type Formlabs Form 2 (Formlabs Inc.) 3D printer. The surface and structure of the hydrogels were studied by stereo and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. The biocompatibility of the 3D printed samples was investigated by Alamar blue viability test using MG63 cells. The actual cells growing on the surface of the samples were also examined by SEM. Results: Our results showed that the MPGA based hydrogels were 3D printable by SLA technique. The printed hydrogels are constructed by few hundred diameter nanofibers and web-like structures. The Alamar blue test showed that, however, after 1 day of seeding, the numbers of the MG63 cells were significantly reduced at the hydrogel surface, after another 3 days we could not detect any alteration in the cell number compared to that of the control. Additionally, the SEM examination demonstrated the attachment of the cells to the surface of the hydrogel samples. Conclusions: Our MPGA based polymer system were 3D printable by SLA technique. The prepared nanostructured and biocompatible hydrogels might be promising vehicles for biologically active components in tissue engineering.

Keywords

• 3D printing
• Scaffold
• Biopolymer
• Hydrogel
• Scanning electron microscopy