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International Journal of Bioprinting 3D-Printed GelMA biomaterials in cartilage repair

Figure 1. Multi-layer structure and main components of articular cartilage. Abbreviations: BMSCs, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; HA,
hyaluronic acid.

defects is its intricate structure and composition. Three- articular cartilage is a complex tissue with different structure
dimensional (3D) printing technology provides new and complex components, we primarily summarize in this
opportunities for constructing engineered tissues, review the challenges in the field of articular cartilage tissue
particularly multi-layer tissues with complex geometries engineering, and based on these challenges, we highlight
and components, such as articular cartilage. 3D printing the advantages of 3D printing technology in this field. We
is a process that involves layer-by-layer deposition of inks also introduce the modification of GelMA hydrogels based
based on computer-aided design (CAD) models, resulting on the characteristics of articular cartilage. Additionally,
in the creation of a 3D scaffolds . we introduce the application of GelMA-based biomaterials
[1]
incorporated with various elements, such as cells, growth
Due to the tremendous advantages of the 3D printing
technique in tissue engineering, many biomaterials showed factors, or other tissue components, in the field of articular
cartilage tissue engineering, and highlight how these
their potentials in this field. Among them, hydrogels are integrated components can significantly enhance the
one of the most widely used biomaterials in 3D printing potential for improving articular cartilage regeneration.
as they provide a versatile platform to include desired
combinations of properties for biomedical applications.
Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is a hydrogel derived from 2. Challenges in the field of articular
gelatin, which has been widely used in traditional scaffold cartilage tissue engineering and
fabrication techniques due to its good biocompatibility advantages of 3D printing technology in
and tunable physical properties. Methacrylic anhydride this field
is incorporated into the gelatin, enabling rapid
solidification of gelatin by photocrosslinking. With the Articular cartilage tissue engineering has been studied for
rapid development of 3D printing technology in articular several decades. Despite this, challenges persist, largely
cartilage tissue engineering, GelMA as one of the printing attributed to the multi-layered structure and complex
inks has also attracted a lot of attention [2-4] . components of articular cartilage tissue as well as the specific

Following the first study reporting its use in 3D printing, loading-bearing functions it performs within the joint.
GelMA hydrogels have been extensively studied for their Generally, the repair of articular cartilage defects
synthesis, characterization, and various applications, involves the regeneration of not only the hyaline cartilage
including, but not limited to, tissue engineering, as well as layer but also the calcified cartilage and subchondral bone
drug and gene delivery. The attributes and applications of layers, each with distinct structures and components
GelMA in 3D printing field have been well-documented in (Figure 1). Of particular significance is the calcified
various reviews [5,6] . However, studies focused specifically on cartilage layer, which is closely connected with the hyaline
the 3D-printed GelMA-based biomaterials in the articular cartilage layer through the wavy tide line structure on its
cartilage field have not been thoroughly reviewed yet. In upper interface, and is closely connected with the hyaline
this review, we mainly focused on research progresses cartilage layer through the uneven comb-like bonding line
related to the applications of GelMA-based 3D printing structure on its lower interface situated between the hyaline
biomaterials in articular cartilage tissue engineering. As cartilage and subchondral bone layers. The undulating

Volume 9 Issue 6 (2023) 240 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.0116