Biocompatible three-dimensional hydrogel microstructures fabricated by two-photon polymerization

Poly(ethylene) glycol diacrylate(PEGDA)-based hydrogel materials with the excellent biocompatibility are widely used not only for cell culturing and tissue engineering but also for damaged bone repairing. In order to guarantee the stability of PEGDA as cell scaffolds and the compatibility with the host tissue, a further knowledge of interaction between PEGDA micronanostructure and cells is indispensable. In this study, two kinds of three-dimensional PEGDA micronanostructures have been designed and fabricated by two-photon polymerization for fibroblasts culturing. The PEGDA (average molecular weight 700) used in our study can preferably reconcile with a quantitative crosslinker to enhance the mechanical strength of structures. The polymerized line width as a function of the experimental conditions such as laser power and scanning speed during the two-photon polymerization has been investigated. Through investigating the adhesion, proliferation, and spread of fibroblasts on PEGDA micronanostructures in vitro, a response between micro-structures and fibroblast has been investigated. This study would provide the potential application of PEGDA hydrogel in biophotonics and tissue engineering.