Page 450 - IJB-10-3

International

Journal of Bioprinting

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Hydrogel bioink formulation for 3D bioprinting:

Sustained delivery of PDGF-BB and VEGF in
biomimetic scaffolds for tendon partial

rupture repair

Sandra Ruiz-Alonso 1,2,3 , Jorge Ordoyo-Pascual 1,2,3 , Markel Lafuente-Merchan 1,2,3 ,
Fátima García-Villén 1,2,3 , Myriam Sainz-Ramos 1,2,3 , Idoia Gallego 1,2,3 ,
Laura Saenz-Del-Burgo 1,2,3 *, and Jose L. Pedraz 1,2,3 *
1 NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology,
Department of Pharmacy and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque
Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
2 Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
3
Networking Research Centre of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN),
Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain

Abstract
In the evolving field of tissue engineering, the power of three-dimensional (3D)
*Corresponding authors: bioprinting technology can be harnessed by innovative methodologies to address
Laura Saenz-Del-Burgo the complex challenges of treating partial tendon injuries. In order to engineer a
(laura.saenzdelburgo@ehu.eus) solution for this type of musculoskeletal injuries, a biomimetic bioink and a scaffold
Jose L. Pedraz developed using 3D bioprinting technology and capable of delivering cells and
(joseluis.pedraz@ehu.eus)
growth factors were investigated. For the development of the bioink, a hydrogel type
Citation: Ruiz-Alonso S, structure was selected based on a strategic combination of alginate, hyaluronic acid,
Ordoyo-Pascual J, Lafuente-
Merchan M, et al. Hydrogel bioink gelatin, and fibrinogen. This tailored combination exhibited favorable rheological
formulation for 3D bioprinting: behavior and impeccable printability. The bioink, demonstrating promising
Sustained delivery of PDGF-BB and characteristics, was then employed to fabricate both acellular scaffolds and tissue
VEGF in biomimetic scaffolds for
tendon partial rupture repair. constructs. The structures possessed mechanical properties suitable and adequate
Int J Bioprint. 2024;10(3):2632. for addressing partial tendon injuries and achieved a microenvironment that
doi: 10.36922/ijb.2632 allowed good metabolic activity of tenocytes, maintenance of their phenotype, and
Received: January 4, 2024 overexpression of genes related to macromolecules of tendon extracellular matrix.
Accepted: February 20, 2024 Regarding growth factors delivery, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) and
Published Online: April 1, 2024
platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) were successfully incorporated into the
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). bioink. Their release profile was thoroughly studied, and their activity once released
This is an Open Access article was demonstrated. Together, these results suggest that the developed bioink and
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution the resulting 3D structures can have an important impact on tendon partial injury
License, permitting distribution, therapies. The multifaceted capabilities of the bioink and the developed tissue
and reproduction in any medium, constructs position them as crucial contributors to the advancement of tendon
provided the original work is
properly cited. injury therapies, marking a significant stride toward enhanced patient outcomes and
regenerative medicine practices.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Keywords: Regenerative medicine; Growth factors delivery; Biomimetic bioink;
affiliations. Rheological behavior; Hydrogel; Natural materials; Partial tendon injuries

Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 442 doi: 10.36922/ijb.2632