Page 247 - IJB-9-6

International

Journal of Bioprinting

REVIEW ARTICLE
Recent progress on 3D-printed gelatin

methacrylate-based biomaterials for articular
cartilage repair

Liang Chen 1,3† , Guowei Huang , Ming Yu , Yang Liu , Tao Cheng , Aiguo Li *,
1
1†
1†
1
1
Wen Wang *, and Shengnan Qin *
1,2
1
1 Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou Institute of Traumatic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross
Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
2 School of Biomedical Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
3 The second hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, China
Abstract

The structure and composition of articular cartilage is complex, and its self-healing
ability is limited, and thus, it is difficult to achieve ideal healing once the articular
cartilage is damaged. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has
provided a new possibility for the repair of articular cartilage. Engineered cartilage
† These authors contributed equally tissues can be fabricated by superimposing customized inks, considering different
to this work. geometric structures and components of tissues. 3D printing can be effectively
*Corresponding authors: used to manufacture high-precision structures with complex geometry, solving the
Shengnan Qin shortcomings of traditional scaffold fabrication techniques. Gelatin methacrylate
(iris.qin@research.uwa.edu.au)
(GelMA) is modified gelatin and is currently a widely used 3D printing ink due to
Aiguo Li its photocrosslinking properties. With good biocompatibility and tunable physical
(Liaiguo7161@ext.jnu.edu.cn) properties, it can provide a good scaffold platform for cell proliferation and growth
Wen Wang factor release. Given that the role of 3D printing technology in cartilage repair has
(warrenwangrch@outlook.com)
been widely reported, this article reviews the research progress of 3D-printed GelMA-
Citation: Chen L, Huang G, Yu M, based biomaterials in articular cartilage tissue engineering. We focus primarily on
et al., 2023, Recent progress on
3D-printed gelatin methacrylate- how 3D printing technology addresses the existing challenges inherent to the field of
based biomaterials for articular articular cartilage tissue engineering. We accentuate the modifications implemented
cartilage repair. Int J Bioprint, in GelMA-based 3D printing scaffolds to optimize articular cartilage regeneration.
9(6): 0116.
https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.0116 Additionally, we provide a comprehensive summary of the utilization of GelMA-based
biomaterials incorporating various cells, growth factors, or other tissue components
Received: April 5, 2023
Accepted: June 19, 2023 and highlight how these adaptations, in conjunction with the benefits of 3D printing
Published Online: August 1, 2023 technology, facilitate improvements the articular cartilage repair.
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
This is an Open Access article Keywords: 3D printing; Gelatin methacrylate; Articular cartilage; Tissue engineering
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited. 1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience The avascular and nerveless nature of articular cartilage results in its limited self-
Publishing remains neutral with repair ability, presenting a challenge for clinical treatments of cartilage injuries, such
regard to jurisdictional claims in as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) or autologous osteochondral column
published maps and institutional
affiliations. transplantation (AOCT). One of the major difficulties in repairing articular cartilage

Volume 9 Issue 6 (2023) 239 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.0116