Two-step screening process to evaluate printability of inks for extrusion-based bioprinting

One of the key bottlenecks of biofabrication are suitable ink materials. These materials need to meet various requirements and combine good printing properties with adequate cytocompatibility. Many scientists try to overcome this bottleneck by designing novel inks. Their approaches range from multimaterial inks to alternative crosslinking strategies. To encourage efficient application of new strategies, we developed a two-step assessment (Fig. 1) focusing on ink printability with extrusion-based bioprinters. The first step only requires a syringe, a nozzle and the material. We have shown that simple screening based on fiber formation and layer stacking properties was an efficient method to assess printability. In a second step, the materials were transferred to a rheometer and evaluated regarding their shear thinning and post-printing recovery properties. We demonstrated that mathematical modelling of the extrusion process can help gaining deeper understanding of the material behavior and enables better evaluation by estimating the conditions present in the nozzle. The data from the shear viscosity plot was fitted and the shear-rate, extrusion velocity, shear stress and residence time profiles for the conditions present in the nozzle during dispensing were calculated (Fig. 2). This approach enabled calculation of the mean shear rate that was used for the recovery tests. These investigations helped to estimate if a material will be printable with a given printer and how needle diameter changes, among other factors, influence the pressure suitable for printing, considering the velocity limits of the device. Furthermore, we demonstrated how these findings can help design bioinks. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Lineare Multifunktionelle PEG-Alternativen für Biokonjugation und Hydrogelbildung

The objective of this thesis was the synthesis and characterisation of two linear multifunctional PEG-alternatives for bioconjugation and hydrogel formation: i) Hydrophilic acrylate based copolymers containing peptide binding units and ii) hydrophilic polyether based copolymers containing different functional groups for a physical crosslinking. In section 3.1 the successful synthesis of water soluble and linear acrylate based polymers containing oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate with either linear thioester functional 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, thiolactone acrylamide, or vinyl azlactone via the living radical polymerisation technique Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) and via free-radical polymerisation is described. The obtained polymers were characterized via GPC, 1H NMR, IR and RAMAN spectroscopy. The RAFT end group was found to be difficult to remove from these short polymer chains and accordingly underwent the undesired side reaction aminolysis with the peptide during the conjugation studies. Besides that, polymers without RAFT end groups did not show any binding of the peptide at the thioester groups, which can be improved in future by using higher reactant concentrations and higher amount of binding units at the polymer. Polymers containing the highly reactive azlactone group showed a peptide binding of 19 %, but unfortunately this function also underwent spontaneous hydrolysis before the peptide could even be bound. In all cases, oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate was used with a relatively high molecular weight (Mn = 480 Da) was used, which eventually was efficiently shielding the introduced binding units from the added peptide. In future, a shorter monomer with Mn = 300 Da or less or hydrophilic N,N’-dialkyl acrylamide based polymers with less steric hindrance could be used to improve this bioconjugation system. Additionally, the amount of monomers containing peptide binding units in the polymer can be increased and have an additional spacer to achieve higher loading efficiency. The water soluble, linear and short polyether based polymers, so called polyglycidols, were successfully synthesized and modified as described in section 3.2. The obtained polymers were characterized using GPC, 1H NMR, 31P{1H} NMR, IR, and RAMAN spectroscopy. The allyl groups which were present up to 20 % were used for radical induced thiol-ene chemistry for the introduction of functional groups intended for the formation of the physically crosslinking hydrogels. For the positively charged polymers, first a chloride group had to be introduced for the subsequent nucleophilic substitution with the imidazolium compound. There, degrees of modifications were found in the range 40-97 % due to the repulsion forces of the charges, decreased concentration of active chloride groups, and limiting solution concentrations of the polymer for this reaction. For the negatively charged polymers, first a protected phosphonamide moiety was introduced with a deprotection step afterwards showing 100 % conversion for all reactions. Preliminary hydrogel tests did not show a formation of a three-dimensional network of the polymer chains which was attributed to the short backbone length of the used polymers, but the gained knowledge about the synthetic routes for the modification of the polymer was successfully transferred to longer linear polyglycidols. The same applies to the introduction of electron rich and electron poor compounds showing π-π stacking interactions by UV-vis spectroscopy. Finally, long linear polyglycidyl ethers were synthesised successfully up to molecular weights of Mn ~ 30 kDa in section 3.3, which was also proven by GPC, 1H NMR, IR and RAMAN spectroscopy. This applies to the homopolymerisation of ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether and their copolymerisation with an amount of the allyl compound ~ 10 %. Attempts for higher molecular weights up to 100 kDa showed an uncontrolled polymerisation behaviour and eventually can be improved in future by choosing a lower initiation temperature. Also, the allyl side groups were modified via radical induced thiol-ene chemistry to obtain positively charged functionalities via imidazolium moieties (85 %) and negatively charged functionalities via phosphonamide moieties (100 %) with quantitative degree of modifications. Hydrogel tests have still shown a remaining solution by using long linear polyglycidols carrying negative charges with long/short linear polyglycidols carrying positive charges. The addition of calcium chloride led to a precipitate of the polymer instead of a three-dimensional network formation representing a too high concentration of ions and therefore shielding water molecules with prevention from dissolving the polymer. These systems can be improved by tuning the polymers structure like longer polymer chains, longer spacer between polymer backbone and charge, and higher amount of functional groups. The objective of the thesis was partly reached containing detailed investigated synthetic routes for the design and characterisation of functional polymers which could be used in future with improvements for bioconjugation and hydrogel formation tests.Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es zwei lineare multifunktionale PEG-Alternativen für die Bioconjugation und Hydrogelbildung herzustellen und zu charakterisieren: i) Wasserlösliche Acrylat-basierte Copolymere mit Peptidbindungseinheiten und ii) wasserlösliche Polyether-basierte Copolymere mit verschiedenen funktionalen Gruppen für eine physikalische Vernetzung. In Abschnitt 3.1 wurde die erfolgreiche Synthese von wasserlöslichen und linearen Acrylat-basierten Polymeren, die Oligo(ethylen glycol) methyl ether acrylat mit jeweils 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate modifiziert mit linearem Thioester, Thiolactonacrylamid und Vinylazlacton enthielten, mittels der lebenden Polymerisationstechnik Reversible Additions-Fragmentierungs Kettenübertragung (RAFT) und mittels freier radikalischer Polymerisation durch GPC, 1H NMR, IR und RAMAN Spektroskopie bewiesen. Es erwies sich als schwer die RAFT-Endgruppe von den kurzen Polymerketten zu entfernen und führte zur Nebenreaktion Aminolyse mit dem Peptid während des Konjugationsprozesses. Außerdem zeigten Polymere ohne RAFT-Endgruppen keine Peptidbindung an den Thioestergruppen, was durch höhere Konzentration der Reaktanten und größeren Anteil an Peptidbindungseinheiten am Polymer in Zukunft verbessert werden könnte. Polymere mit Azlaktongruppen zeigten eine Bindung von 19 %, wobei dies eine sehr reaktive Gruppe ist und vor der Peptidbindung noch hydrolysieren kann. In allen Fällen wurde Oligo(ethylen glycol) methyl ether acrylat mit Mn = 480 Da verwendet, welches die Peptidbindungsstellen abschirmen kann. Daher können in Zukunft Monomere mit Mn = 300 Da oder N,N’-Dialkylacrylamid-basierte Monomere mit weniger sterischer Hinderung für dieses System verwendet werden. Zusätzlich kann der Anteil an Monomeren mit Peptidbindungseinheiten im Polymer und zusätzlicher Seitenkette erhöht werden, um höhere Bindungseffektivitäten zu erreichen. Die erfolgreiche Synthese und Modifikation von wasserlöslichen, linearen und kurzen Polyether-basierten Polymeren, sogenannten Polyglycidolen, konnte in Abschnitt 3.2 mittels GPC, 1H NMR, 31P{1H} NMR, IR und RAMAN Spektroskopie bewiesen werden. Die Allylgruppe, die bis zu 20 % vorhanden war, wurde für die radikalisch induzierte Thiol-En Chemie zur Einführung von funktionellen Gruppen verwendet. Für die positiv geladenen Polymere, wurde zuerst eine Chloridgruppe generiert, die anschließend für die nukleophile Substitution mit einer Imidazolkomponente verwendet wurde. Dabei wurden Substitutionsgrade von 40-97 % gefunden, was an den Abstoßungskräften der Ladungen, verringerter Konzentration der aktiven Chloridgruppen und der begrenzten Löslichkeitskonzentration bei dieser Reaktion liegt. Für die negativ geladenen Polymere wurde zuerst eine geschützte Phosphonamidgruppe eingeführt, die anschließend entschützt wurde und bei allen Reaktionen einen Umsatz von 100 % zeigte. Vorläufige Hydrogeltests zeigten keine Bildung eines dreidimensionales Netzwerks der Polymerketten aber es wurden Erkenntnisse über die synthetischen Routen für die Modifikation der Polymere für den Transfer auf lange lineare Polyglycidole gewonnen. Das gleiche gilt für die Einführung von elektronreichen und elektronarmen Komponenten, die eine π-π Stapelwechselwirkung mittels UV-vis Spektroskopie zeigte. Letztlich wurden lange lineare Polyglycidole bis zu Molmassen von Mn ~ 30 kDa erfolgreich in Abschnitt 3.3 hergestellt und mittels GPC, 1H NMR, IR and RAMAN Spektroskopie bewiesen. Dies gilt für die Homopolymerisation von Ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether, Ally glycidyl ether und deren Copolymerisation mit einem Anteil der Allylkomponente von ~ 10 %. Versuche um höhere Molekulargewichte bis zu 100 kDa zeigten ein unkontrolliertes Polymerisationsverhalten, welches durch eine niedrigere Initiierungstemperatur weiter verbessert werden kann. Ebenso wurden die Allylseitengruppen mittels radikalisch induzierter Thiol-En Chemie modifiziert, um positivgeladene Funktionalitäten durch Imidazolgruppen (85 %) und negativgeladene Funktionalitäten durch Phosphonamidgruppen (100 %) in quantitativen Umsätzen einzuführen. Hydrogeltests von langen linearen Polyglycidolen, die negativ geladene Gruppen haben, mit langen/kurzen linearen Polyglycidolen, die positiv geladene Gruppen haben, haben eine verbleibende Lösung gezeigt. Die Zugabe von Calciumchlorid führte zum Ausfall des Polymers anstatt zu einem dreidimensionalen Netzwerk repräsentiert durch eine zu hohe Ionenkonzentration. Dies führte zu einer Abschirmung der Wassermoleküle vom Polymer und verhinderte, dies aufzulösen. Das System kann verbessert werden, indem die Polymerstruktur variiert wird, z.B. durch längere Polymerketten, größere Abstände zwischen Polymerhauptkette und Ladung und einen größeren Anteil an funktionellen Gruppen. Das Ziel der Arbeit wurde teilweise erreicht, welches detailliert untersuchte Syntheserouten für das Design und die Charakterisierung von funktionellen Polymeren beinhaltet, welche in Zukunft mit Verbesserungen für Bioconjuations- und Hydrogelformulierungstests verwendet werden können

The Azide–para-Fluoro Substitution on Polymers: Multi-purpose Precursors for Efficient Sequential Postpolymerization Modification

The 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl group has become a popular reactive functionality in polymer chemistry because of its high susceptibility to para-fluoro substitution with thiols. Herein, it is demonstrated postpolymerization that the para-fluoride can be substituted using sodium azide and that the resulting 4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl-functional polymers are versatile precursors for a multitude of onward modifications with click-like efficiencies. Quantitative azide–para-fluoro substitution was found for poly(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl methacrylate) and the related Passerini ester–amide (meth)acrylic (co)polymers when heated in DMF with sodium azide to 80 °C for 60–90 min. Conversely, the azidation of poly(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorostyrene) under similar conditions resulted in ~90% substitution efficiency. Azide-functional (co-)polymers were thermally stable below 100 °C and were subsequently modified with (i) four different alkynes (CuBr, triethylamine, DMF, 55 °C, overnight) to give 1,4-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles in >95% conversions; (ii) potassium thioacetate (DMF, RT, 15 min) with quantitative amidation to the acetanilide derivative; and (iii) DL-dithiothreitol (methanol/DMF, RT, 90 min) resulting in complete reduction of the azides to primary amines, which were subsequently acylated with two different acyl chlorides. Products were characterized by 1H NMR, 19F NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopies, and size exclusion chromatography. Given their adaptability, perfluorophenylazides have large potential as multi-purpose intermediates in polymer and materials chemistry

Proposal to assess printability of bioinks for extrusion-based bioprinting and evaluation of rheological properties governing bioprintability

The development and formulation of printable inks for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting has been a major challenge in the field of biofabrication. Inks, often polymer solutions with the addition of crosslinking to form hydrogels, must not only display adequate mechanical properties for the chosen application but also show high biocompatibility as well as printability. Here we describe a reproducible two-step method for the assessment of the printability of inks for bioprinting, focussing firstly on screening ink formulations to assess fibre formation and the ability to form 3D constructs before presenting a method for the rheological evaluation of inks to characterise the yield point, shear thinning and recovery behaviour. In conjunction, a mathematical model was formulated to provide a theoretical understanding of the pressure-driven, shear thinning extrusion of inks through needles in a bioprinter. The assessment methods were trialled with a commercially available crème, poloxamer 407, alginate-based inks and an alginate-gelatine composite material. Yield stress was investigated by applying a stress ramp to a number of inks, which demonstrated the necessity of high yield for printable materials. The shear thinning behaviour of the inks was then characterised by quantifying the degree of shear thinning and using the mathematical model to predict the window of printer operating parameters in which the materials could be printed. Furthermore, the model predicted high shear conditions and high residence times for cells at the walls of the needle and effects on cytocompatibility at different printing conditions. Finally, the ability of the materials to recover to their original viscosity after extrusion was examined using rotational recovery rheological measurements. Taken together, these assessment techniques revealed significant insights into the requirements for printable inks and shear conditions present during the extrusion process and allow the rapid and reproducible characterisation of a wide variety of inks for bioprinting

Double printing of hyaluronic acid/poly(glycidol) hybrid hydrogels with poly(ε-caprolactone) for MSC chondrogenesis

This study investigates the use of allyl-functionalized poly(glycidol)s (P(AGE-co-G)) as a cytocompatible cross-linker for thiol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) and the optimization of this hybrid hydrogel as bioink for 3D bioprinting. The chemical cross-linking of gels with 10 wt.% overall polymer concentration was achieved by a UV-induced radical thiol-ene coupling between the thiol and allyl groups. The addition of unmodified high molecular weight HA (1.36 MDa) enabled the rheology to be tuned for extrusion-based bioprinting. The incorporation of additional HA resulted in hydrogels with a lower Young's modulus and a higher swelling ratio, especially in the first 24 h, but a comparable equilibrium swelling for all gels after 24 h. Embedding of human and equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the gels and subsequent in vitro culture showed promising chondrogenic differentiation after 21 d for cells from both origins. Moreover, cells could be printed with these gels, and embedded hMSCs showed good cell survival for at least 21 d in culture. To achieve mechanically stable and robust constructs for the envisioned application in articular cartilage, the formulations were adjusted for double printing with thermoplastic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)

Double printing of hyaluronic acid / poly(glycidol) hybrid hydrogels with poly(ε-caprolactone) for MSC chondrogenesis

This study investigates the use of allyl-functionalized poly(glycidol)s (P(AGE-co-G)) as cytocompatible cross-linker for thiol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) and the optimization of this hybrid hydrogel as bioink for 3D bioprinting. Chemical cross-linking of gels with 10 wt.% overall polymer concentration was achieved by UV-induced radical thiol-ene coupling between the thiol and allyl groups. Addition of unmodified high molecular weight HA (1.36 MDa) allowed tuning of the rheology for extrusion based bioprinting. Incorporation of additional HA resulted in hydrogels with lower Young's modulus and higher swelling ratio especially in the first 24 h, but a comparable equilibrium swelling for all gels after 24 h. Embedding of human and equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the gels and subsequent in vitro culture showed promising chondrogenic differentiation after 21 d for cells from both origins. Moreover, cells could be printed with these gels, and embedded hMSCs showed good cell survival for at least 21 d in culture. To achieve mechanical stable and robust constructs for the envisioned application in articular cartilage, the formulations were adjusted for double printing with the thermoplastic poly--caprolactone (PCL)