14-3-3ε protein-loaded 3D hydrogels favor osteogenesis
Ana A. Aldana, Marina Uhart, Gustavo A. Abraham, Diego M. Bustos, Aldo R. Boccaccini
Abstract
3D printing has emerged as vanguard technique of biofabrication to assemble cells, biomaterials and biomolecules in a spatially controlled manner to reproduce native tissues. In this work, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/alginate hydrogel scaffolds were obtained by 3D printing and 14-3-3ε protein was encapsulated in the hydrogel to induce osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASC). GelMA/alginate-based grid-like structures were printed and remained stable upon photo-crosslinking. The viscosity of alginate allowed to control the pore size and strand width. A higher viscosity of hydrogel ink enhanced the printing accuracy. Protein-loaded GelMA/alginate-based hydrogel showed a clear induction of the osteogenic differentiation of hASC cells. The results are relevant for future developments of GelMA/alginate for bone tissue engineering given the positive effect of 14-3-3ε protein on both cell adhesion and proliferation.