Technology opens endless possibilities in our lives. Did you know that hyaluronic acid can be combined with 3D printing?
Can Hyaluronic Acid be 3D Printed?
It might seem surprising, but it’s true. Hyaluronic acid used in 3D printing usually comes in the form of a hydrogel. This product has high water content, plasticity, and biocompatibility, supporting material formation and cell growth during 3D printing. [1]Crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrogels are created by adding water or specific solutions to crosslinked hyaluronic acid powders.
Applications of Hyaluronic Acid in 3D Printing
Hyaluronic acid (HA) in 3D printing mainly focuses on biomedical fields, particularly tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
3D-Printed Biological Scaffolds
Biological scaffolds printing hydrogels are prepared from HA suitable for tissues, including cartilage, skin, and bones. Because of the excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, they create a favorable environment to grow cells and encourage tissue regeneration. For example, such scaffolds for repairing damaged cartilage can provide support for the proliferation and differentiation of cells in order to regenerate impaired cartilage.
3D-Printed Cell Carriers
Hyaluronic acid hydrogels can act as cell carriers in 3D printing, encapsulating and transporting cells.[2] Researchers can precisely print three-dimensional structures containing cells using HA as a bio-ink, simulating complex tissue structures.[3] This method is useful for creating skin substitutes to promote wound healing or developing artificial organs like artificial cartilage.
Personalized Medicine
Coupling hyaluronic acid with 3D printing technology provides the possibility for personalized treatment planning. For instance, one can design and print patient-specific biological scaffolds or drug delivery systems, depending on the patient’s condition and anatomical structure. This aspect is very critical in regenerative medicine because it is going to improve the results of treatments and decrease post-operative complications.
Enhanced Drug Delivery Systems
Due to its nature of modifiability and biodegradability, hyaluronic acid can be combined with other biomaterials for creating a 3D-printed material into which drugs will be loaded. HA can be mixed with anti-cancer drugs and three-dimensional constructions enabled by 3D printing for local tumor treatments in a controlled manner.
3D-Printed Cartilage Substitutes
Since cartilage only possesses very limited self-repair capacity, once damages occur, it will be difficult to repair. As an extracellular matrix component for the cartilage cells, hyaluronic acid provides a good environment to let cell growth happen. Utilizing 3D printing techniques, HA is combined with other biopolymers for creating excellent mechanical property and good biocompatibility of cartilage substitutes for joint repair.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid’s applications in 3D printing, especially as a hydrogel material, offer excellent biocompatibility and degradability. Additionally, its chemical modifiability allows adjustments to its physical properties. This versatility makes it a vital material in bioprinting, essential for tissue engineering and personalized medicine.
Stanford Chemicals Company (SCC) is a supplier of hyaluronic acid with 30 years of experience. SCC offers sodium hyaluronate powder with customizable molecular weights in different grades (medical grade, cosmetic grade, food grade, injectable grade). In addition, we also provide high purity cross-linked gel hyaluronic acid powder that can be used to make hydrogels. Interested parties are welcome to get a quotation.
[1] Agrawal, A.; Hussain, C.M. 3D-Printed Hydrogel for Diverse Applications: A Review. Gels 2023, 9, 960. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9120960
[2] Munarin F, Petrini P, Bozzini S, Tanzi MC. New Perspectives in Cell Delivery Systems for Tissue Regeneration: Natural-derived Injectable Hydrogels. Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials. 2012;10(2):67-81. doi:10.5301/JABFM.2012.9418
[3] Lee, S.J.; Seok, J.M.; Lee, J.H.; Lee, J.; Kim, W.D.; Park, S.A. Three-Dimensional Printable Hydrogel Using a Hyaluronic Acid/Sodium Alginate Bio-Ink. Polymers 2021, 13, 794. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13050794