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Review
. 2022 Jan 29;15(2):171.
doi: 10.3390/ph15020171.

Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering Applications-A Review on Material Modifications

Sasinan Bupphathong  1 , Carlos Quiroz  2 , Wei Huang  3 , Pei-Feng Chung  4 , Hsuan-Ya Tao  1 , Chih-Hsin Lin  1
Affiliations
Review

Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering Applications-A Review on Material Modifications

Sasinan Bupphathong et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). .

Abstract

To recreate or substitute tissue in vivo is a complicated endeavor that requires biomaterials that can mimic the natural tissue environment. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is created through covalent bonding of naturally derived polymer gelatin and methacrylic groups. Due to its biocompatibility, GelMA receives a lot of attention in the tissue engineering research field. Additionally, GelMA has versatile physical properties that allow a broad range of modifications to enhance the interaction between the material and the cells. In this review, we look at recent modifications of GelMA with naturally derived polymers, nanomaterials, and growth factors, focusing on recent developments for vascular tissue engineering and wound healing applications. Compared to polymers and nanoparticles, the modifications that embed growth factors show better mechanical properties and better cell migration, stimulating vascular development and a structure comparable to the natural-extracellular matrix.

Keywords: GelMA; biomaterials; hydrogel; material modifications; tissue engineering; vascularization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Scheme 1
Scheme 1
The chemical reaction between gelatin and methacrylate anhydride to produce GelMA and crosslinked GelMA hydrogel.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Different modifications of GelMA hydrogel and their benefits.
Figure 2
Figure 2
VEGF-modified GelMA hydrogel. (a) Handheld printing using VEGF-modified GelMA hydrogel as bioink for wound healing (left) and immunostained for von Willebrand Factor under an optical microscope (right) with quantitative results of wound bed angiogenesis by measurement of vWF signal in different wounds (n = 6). The data is presented as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). Comparison of the different groups was performed using a student’s T test and * represents p < 0.0005 (bottom left). (b) Schematic illustration of GelMA-microneedles loaded with AAV-VEGF and the results of cerebral ischemia treatment in rats among different groups treated. (Photothrombotic (PT), microneedle (MN), adeno-associated virus (AAV), vascular endothelial growth factor loaded microneedle (MN-VEGF)). Statistical analysis was performed using a two-sided Student’s t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). of the infarct area (upper right) and the protein levels of VEGF in the brain 3 weeks after MN implantation (lower right). The data are expressed as the mean ± SD. * p < 0.05 and **** p < 0.0001. Reproduced (adapted) with permission from Ref. [23]. 2022 © Biomaterials, and from Ref. [27]. 2021 © Journal of Controlled Release.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A schematic illustration of a novel photo-crosslinked GelMA hydrogel and HSNGLPL-MA recruits endogenous TGF-β1 and enhances cartilage regeneration. A 3D reconstruction of micro-computed scans after cartilage repair with GelMA modified with TGF-β1 affine peptides in rabbits. Reproduced (adapted) with permission from Ref. [30]. 2021 © Smart Materials in Medicine.
Figure 4
Figure 4
GelMA modified with naturally derived polymers. (a) Hyaluronic acid-modified GelMA for wound therapy from 0–9 days wounds and photographs of wound healing progress. (b) Schematic diagram of GelMA/chitosan wound adhesive doped with dopamine with antibacterial properties and H&E staining on days 7, 14, and 21 observed under an optical microscope. Reproduced (adapted) with permission from Ref. [35]. 2022 © Materials Today Bio, and Ref. [40]. 2020 © Carbohydrate polymers.
Figure 5
Figure 5
GelMA modified with naturally derived polymers. (a) Schematic representation of 3D-printed biomimetic blood vessels with alginate modified-GelMA. (b) Silk fibroin-modified GelMA for corneal regeneration with fluorescence imaging DAPI (blue) and rhodamine-phalloidin (red) after 5 days of culture. Reproduced (adapted) with permission from Ref. [42]. 2020 © ACS Applied Materials and Interphases; and Ref. [48]. 2021 © Material Science & Engineering C.
Figure 6
Figure 6
GelMA modified by nanomaterials. (a) Carbon nanotubes. (b) Gold nanorods for cardiomyocyte constructs. (c) Biofabrication of silanized hydroxyapatite modified cell-laden GelMA and MG63 cells and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulation by GelMA composite (green, calcein AM; red, ethidium homodimer-1). Scale bar, 100 µm. Elastic modulus of GelMA-HAp and GelMA-Si-HAp hydrogels data is presented as mean ± standard deviation. * p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001 upon one-way ANOVA analysis (upper right). Reproduced (adapted) with permission from Ref. [50]. 2019 © ACS Nano. Ref [57]. 2017 © Advanced Functional Materials Smart Materials in Medicine. And Ref. [63]. 2021 © Polymers.
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