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International Journal of Bioprinting Dual tuning of 3D-printed SilMA hydrogel

Figure 8. In vivo cartilage formation effect. Histological staining (HE, Safranin O, and Alcian Blue) and immunohistochemical staining images for Col-
II and Col-I of each group. Scale bar: 100 µm; magnification: 200×. Abbreviations: Col I, collagen I; Col II, collagen II; HE, hematoxylin and eosin; NF,
nanofibers; PEO, poly(ethylene oxide); SilMA, silk methacryloy.

As shown in Figure S7, the groups with PEO-induced PEO-induced porosity and NF reinforcement to enhance
porosity exhibited significantly higher Col-II and Col-I their cartilage tissue regeneration performance. The
immunopositivity and average optical density compared to innovative water-in-water emulsification strategy created
non-porous controls, especially for the PEO/1%NF/SilMA a porous architecture that significantly increased the
group. These observations coincided with the quantitative average pore diameter (by over 100%) and overall porosity
GAG measurements and chondrogenic gene expression (75%), albeit with a significant reduction in mechanical
analysis. However, due to the limitations of the animal properties. The incorporation of homogenized NFs
model, these results were still unable to demonstrate which effectively compensated for this mechanical deficit without
group had a better effect on cartilage formation under substantially compromising porosity, while concurrently
the weight-bearing environment. In addition, it is worth improving the 3D printability of SilMA/PEO hydrogels.
noting that the materials prepared in this study mainly Results demonstrated that the 3D printed grid-like
contain only one type of bioactive substance, SF. This PEO/2%NF/SilMA group had compressive strength and
simplified composition offers a simpler system for future elastic modulus comparable to pure SilMA hydrogels
mechanistic studies. but with enhanced biological functionality. Remarkably,
the PEO/NF/SilMA hydrogels exhibited improved
4. Conclusion biocompatibility and marked upregulation of chondrogenic
This study successfully developed a dual-strategy approach genes (COL2A1, ACAN, and SOX9), particularly in
for modifying 3D-printed SilMA hydrogels, combining the PEO/1%NF/SilMA group. In vivo subcutaneous

Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 293 doi: 10.36922/IJB025140118