3D Bioprinting Gellan Gum-Based Bioink with HepG2 Cells

When it comes to the metabolism of endogenous metabolic byproducts or xenobiotics, he liver is a crucial organ. Consequently, there is an accumulation of drugs, environmental pollutants and associated diseases in it. Thus, 3D liver models for high throughput chemical testing more predictable and reproducible are required. This study investigated a 0.2% TayaGel mixed with 1.2% Gelzan hydrogel 3D construct by bioprinting as a 3D liver model. The mechanical, rheological and degradation properties were evaluated. In addition to testing cytotoxicity and cell proliferation with the HepG2 cell line. The mechanical characterization of the hydrogel was close to the liver tissue Young's modulus and satisfactory filament formation were suggested by the shape fidelity experiment. At the dynamic mechanical analysis, we found a similarity between our bioink and gellan gum articles, but when compared to liver properties, only the loss modulus was resemblant. After 24 hours we found an intensive deterioration of over 60% of the mass, the biomaterial showed no increase in proliferation and limited viability after seven days of incubation. All the data suggests that these findings can offer fresh perspectives on the possibilities of gellan gum use to bioprinted cell culture like in vitro liver model. As the intense degradation of high-acyl gellan gum, it is a good candidate for use as a sacrificial bioink, besides providing soft-elastic properties. Likewise, the potential of this bioink can be enhanced with the use of other biomaterials in order to explore the use of types of gellan gum for bioprinting in vitro models.