Advancing Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: 3D Bioprinting of GelMA-Based Cell-Laden Electroactive Bioinks for Nerve Conduits

Peripheral nerve injuries often result in substantial impairment of the neurostimulatory organs. While the autograft is still largely used as the "gold standard" clinical treatment option, nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are currently considered a promising approach for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. While several attempts have been made to construct NGCs using various biomaterial combinations, a comprehensive exploration of the process science associated with three-dimensional (3D) extrusion printing of NGCs with clinically relevant sizes (length: 20 mm; diameter: 2–8 mm), while focusing on tunable buildability using electroactive biomaterial inks, remains unexplored. In addressing this gap, we present here the results of the viscoelastic properties of a range of a multifunctional gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)/carbon nanofiber (CNF)/gellan gum (GG) hydrogel bioink formulations and printability assessment using experiments and quantitative models. Our results clearly established the positive impact of the gellan gum on the enhancement of the rheological properties. Interestingly, the strategic incorporation of PEGDA as a secondary cross-linker led to a remarkable enhancement in the strength and modulus by 3 and 8-fold, respectively. Moreover, conductive CNF addition resulted in a 4-fold improvement in measured electrical conductivity. The use of four-component electroactive biomaterial ink allowed us to obtain high neural cell viability in 3D bioprinted constructs. While the conventionally cast scaffolds can support the differentiation of neuro-2a cells, the most important result has been the excellent cell viability of neural cells in 3D encapsulated structures. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the potential of 3D bioprinting and multimodal biophysical cues in developing functional yet critical-sized nerve conduits for peripheral nerve tissue regeneration.