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Development of nanocellulose-hyaluronic acid bioinks for 3D bioprinting facial cartilages

Thomas Jovic, Andrea Gazze, Bethan Morgan, Karl Hawkins Orcid Logo, Lewis Francis, Hari Arora Orcid Logo, shareen Doak, Iain Whitaker, Lewis Francis Orcid Logo

Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications, Volume: 11, Start page: 100929

Swansea University Authors: Thomas Jovic, Andrea Gazze, Karl Hawkins Orcid Logo, Hari Arora Orcid Logo, shareen Doak, Iain Whitaker, Lewis Francis Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Nanocellulose (NC) possesses desirable biological and mechanical properties for 3D bioprinting. This study aimed to derive a novel NC-hyaluronic acid (HA) bioink for 3D bioprinting facial cartilages and assess its printability, biocompatibility and chondrogenicity. Pulp-derived NC blend was combined...

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Published in: Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications
ISSN: 2666-8939
Published: Elsevier BV 2025
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69895
Abstract: Nanocellulose (NC) possesses desirable biological and mechanical properties for 3D bioprinting. This study aimed to derive a novel NC-hyaluronic acid (HA) bioink for 3D bioprinting facial cartilages and assess its printability, biocompatibility and chondrogenicity. Pulp-derived NC blend was combined with a HA hydrogel to make composite NCHA bioinks ranging from 100 % HA to 20 % HA. Human nasoseptal chondrocytes were cultured in the bioinks for 21 days to assess chondrogenicity through gene expression analysis, quantitative protein assays and histology. Successful crosslinking using hydrogen peroxide solution (5 μM) occurred within 5 min with no detriment to cell survival. All NCHA mixtures demonstrated increases in aggrecan, collagen and SOX9 expression over 21 days with bioinks comprising 20–40 % HA being the most chondrogenic (p = 0.0001). Printability was assessed using rheology and printability assays, demonstrating appropriate mechanical properties for 3D printing and shape retention as auricular cartilages. Biocompatibility with Live-Dead, lactate dehydrogenase and AlamarBlue assays demonstrated cell viability and proliferation sustained over 21 days. We conclude that NCHA bioinks promote chondrogenicity, possess favourable mechanical properties and have excellent biocompatibility for cartilage tissue engineering.
Keywords: Cartilage; Bioprinting; Chondrogenesis; Nanocellulose; Hyaluronic acid; Biomaterials
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: This study was supported by The Scar Free Foundation & Health and Care Research Wales Programme of research in Reconstructive Surgery & Regenerative Medicine, which has been established in the ReconRegen Research Centre at Swansea University in partnership with Swansea Bay University Health Board. Additionally, THJ would like to acknowledge funding from Action Medical Research and the VTCT Foundation (GN2782), Microtia UK, the Royal College of Surgeons England, the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and the Welsh Clinical Academic Training Programme.
Start Page: 100929