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

Table 1. Modifications of GelMA hydrogels in cartilage tissue engineering
Materials Modifications Aims Properties of modification Characteristics of GelMA after modifications In vitro outcomes In vivo outcomes
GelMA Increased concentration or ultraviolet Improve mechanical properties N/A Controlled stiffness and swelling properties N/A N/A
(UV) irradiation time
GelMA Introduction of oligomer of dopamine Improve mechanical properties Good biocompatibility; adhesive property; Enhanced toughness and resilience; controlled Promoted chondrocyte adhesion and Good cartilage repair abilities
methacrylate (ODMA) tunable property; versatility degradation rate; continued protein release proliferation
GelMA Incorporation of polyacrylamide (PAM) Improve mechanical properties Biocompatibility; hydrophilicity; controlled Enhanced compression strength and improved Good cell adhesion and biocompatibility Good cartilage repair ability in rabbit knee
mechanical properties; versatility elasticity; a favorable degradation rate and sustained in vitro cartilage defect model
protein release
GelMA Incorporation of thiolated heparin Improve integration and Ability to bind to various biomolecules and Preserved anticoagulation and growth for signaling Greater cell differentiation and cartilage N/A
(HepSH) adhesion surfaces; biocompatibility; anticoagulant capacity; promoted cell viability and chondrocyte matrix deposition in vitro
properties; versatility phenotype.
GelMA with ε-polylysine Modified Gel-EPL/B hydrogel Improve integration and EPL: Interact with negatively charged cell Improved mechanical properties and better suited Induction of more ECM and improved Promoted tissue repair of cartilage defects
(EPL) and phenylboronic adhesion surfaces and ECM; biocompatibility and for chondrocyte production chondrogenesis
acid (PBA) antimicrobial properties;
PBA: Binding properties to sugars;
biocompatibility; stability; versatility
GelMA Microbial transglutaminase Seamless integration A significant increase in adhesive strength N/A N/A
PEGDA/GelMA PEGDA Promote adhesion and improve Biocompatibility; versatility; hydrophilicity; Different adhesion ligand densities and stiffness N/A Improved integration and adhesion with in situ
mechanical properties photopolymerization; biodegradability properties tissues
GelMA/AGA Grafted glucosamine molecules onto Provide an effective approach Biocompatibility; anti-inflammatory; More than 87.7% of 15% (w/v) GelMA hydrogel Better biocompatibility, larger cell Best integration in in vivo rabbit cartilage repair
acrylate groups of GlcN delivery to a target site cartilage-building properties was grafted with AGA attachment, and higher cell viability
GelMA Introduction of tyrosine (Tyr) groups Improve mechanical properties Form strong hydrogen bonds Tyramine binding to proteins in native cartilage Neocartilage formation from embedded Improved adhesion to the surrounding tissue,
leads to a 15-fold increment in the adhesive chondroprogenitor cells is demonstrated and improved lateral integration of neocartilage
strength of the bioglue compared to pristine GelMA in vitro
GelMA/ECM-PFS Introduction of RGD peptides PFS Improve integration and No changes in physical properties Enhanced mechanical properties; recruitment of GelMA/ECM-PFS could regulate the Facilitated recruitment and chondrogenesis of
( peptide sequence PFSSTKT) adhesion BMSCs; improved hyaline cartilage repair in rabbits migration of rabbit BMSCs BMSCs, and promoted hyaline cartilage repair
in rabbit
GelMA/PLLA Poly(lactic acid) (PLLA) Improve printing fidelity and Biocompatibility; biodegradability; Fabricated constructs with a compressive stress Support BMSCs proliferation and N/A
mechanical strengths mechanical strength; versatility; controlled of ≈150 kPa even after 100 cyclical compression chondrogenesis
release loading (up to 40% of strain)
GelMA/PEGDA/CSMA PEGDA/CSMA Adjust mechanical strength Possess suitable compressive elastic modulus and Provide a 3D support for BMSCs; the N/A
and guide chondrogenesis of degradation rate differentiation lineage could be changed by
BMSCs adjusting the percentage of CSMA

improvement over traditional fabrication techniques. This manner, which makes them good carriers owing to the
is achieved by incorporating various cells, growth factors, controlled release of specific growth factors in cartilage
and other tissue components and utilizing computer defects. Growth factors have the potential to enhance
technology to closely mimic the complex architectures of current cartilage repair through various mechanisms, such
the target tissues (Figure 7). Here, we provide a summary as recruiting chondrocytes, stimulating their proliferation,
of the results and characteristics of 3D-printed GelMA and enhancing cartilage matrix formation [32,33] . Among
scaffolds loaded with cells, growth factors, or other various growth factors, transforming growth factor-β3
materials for use in articular cartilage tissue engineering. (TGF-β3) has been proven to be the most effective in
This information will be valuable for future research and inducing chondrogenesis of stem cells in many studies.
development of GelMA and 3D printing techniques for To this end, Wang et al. constructed a GelMA scaffold
[34]
cartilage repair. By harnessing the potential of 3D printing functionalized with alginate sulfate, which has a high
technology, it may be possible to develop more effective affinity to TGF-β3. This scaffold enabled sustained
and personalized treatments for articular cartilage defects, release of TGF-β3, supporting robust chondrogenic
ultimately for the application in clinical settings. differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro
and in nude mice. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-
5.1. Growth factors 1) is a hormone that possesses anti-apoptotic and anti-
One of the distinguishing characteristics of GelMA- inflammatory properties, promotes the production of
based hydrogels is their ability to degrade in a controlled ECM by chondrocytes through paracrine mechanisms,

Volume 9 Issue 6 (2023) 247 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.0116