Digital light processing 3D printing of dual crosslinked meniscal scaffolds with enhanced physical and biological properties

Abstract

Regenerating damaged meniscal tissue remains a significant challenge due to the meniscus’ limited capacity for self-repair. Photocrosslinkable hydrogels, like gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), offer a promising solution for meniscal regeneration by providing structural flexibility to accommodate the meniscus’ complex geometry while enabling the incorporation of bioactive molecules and cells. However, GelMA alone often lacks the mechanical robustness required for load-bearing applications. In this study, we introduce a dual-crosslinked GelMA scaffold, enhanced with tannic acid (TA), designed to replicate the mechanical properties of the native meniscus. By adjusting TA concentrations, we successfully fine-tuned the scaffold’s compressive modulus to match that of human meniscal tissue. This dual crosslinking not only improved mechanical strength but also resulted in a denser matrix with smaller pore sizes and reduced degradation and swelling rates. The optimized GelMA-TA formulation was 3D-printed into complex shapes, demonstrating its potential for producing patient-specific scaffolds. Beyond its mechanical benefits, the GelMA-TA scaffold exhibited excellent antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Human mesenchymal stem cells seeded onto the scaffold showed high viability, increased proliferation, and successful chondrogenic differentiation. Additionally, the GelMA-TA scaffold acted as an immunomodulatory biomaterial, suppressing pro-inflammatory responses in monocytes while promoting an anti-inflammatory, pro-regenerative M2a macrophage phenotype. These findings suggest that the GelMA-TA scaffold holds strong potential as a viable solution for meniscal tissue repair, offering both structural integrity and enhanced biological functionality.

Graphical abstract