Photocrosslinked Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA)/Hyaluronic Acid Methacryloyl (HAMA) Composite Scaffold Using Anthocyanidin as a Photoinitiator for Bone Tissue Regeneration

Gelatinand hyaluronic acid are natural biopolymers that are importantcomponents of soft tissues in the human body, and both have been usedin several biomedical applications. To achieve controllable mechanicaland degradation properties of gelatin and hyaluronic acid, methacrylicacid has been used to modify photocrosslinkable gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA) and hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA). Irgacure 2959 (I2959)and anthocyanidin have been used as photoinitiators for comparison.Finally, the photocrosslinked GelMA/HAMA composite scaffold has beenprepared for bone tissue regeneration. The composite scaffolds wereprepared using mold casting and photocrosslinking techniques. Specificratios of GelMA and HAMA reagents were mixed properly with I2959 oranthocyanidin photoinitiators. Samples were examined with chemicaland material, in vitro, and in vivo evaluations. Furthermore, two photoinitiators, I2959 and anthocyanidin,can crosslink the GelMA/HAMA composite scaffold. A 1% HAMA incorporationcan significantly decrease the degradation of the GelMA/HAMA scaffoldcompared with GelMA only. Also, HAMA participation can improve cellviability and promote bone-related cell differentiation and tissueregeneration (bone formation) without any apparent adverse reactions in vivo.