Abstract
BackgroundIn recent years, three-dimensional (3D) printing has begun to be widely used in tissue engineering. Natural biomaterials have been employed to overcome the limitations of synthetic polymers. However, their low mechanical strength and poor printability are major disadvantages. Photocrosslinking is the most promising fabrication strategy because it is non-invasive and easy to control light intensity and exposure. In this article, developments of photocrosslinkable natural biomaterials in the field of 3D printing are reviewed.Main bodyPhotocrosslinkable biomaterials can be broadly classified into materials that use ultraviolet (UV) and visible lights. Many natural biomaterials such as gelatin, hydroxyapatite, silk fibroin, and pectin have been modified through acrylation, crosslinked by 365 nm UV light, and 3D printed. Riboflavin could also be used to crosslink and print collagen or decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM). In the case of silk-like aneroin and modified gelatin, crosslinking is possible by forming a dityrosine bond using 452 nm visible light.ConclusionDespite the tremendous researches on the developments of photocrosslinkable 3D printing natural biomaterials, further efforts are necessary to develop source biomaterials with excellent biological functions and sufficient mechanical integrity.
Highlights
Three-dimensional (3D) printing in tissue engineering field is a fast and solid construction method for highly automated and reproducible production of 3D structural bioscaffolds
Despite the tremendous researches on the developments of photocrosslinkable 3D printing natural biomaterials, further efforts are necessary to develop source biomaterials with excellent biological functions and sufficient mechanical integrity
This is a technique that can solve the spatio-temporal placement of biomaterials, cells, and many functional materials, which was difficult with conventional tissue engineering methods [1]. 3D printing requires 3D design through a computer and construction of structures through various printing methods
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing in tissue engineering field is a fast and solid construction method for highly automated and reproducible production of 3D structural bioscaffolds. Conclusion: Despite the tremendous researches on the developments of photocrosslinkable 3D printing natural biomaterials, further efforts are necessary to develop source biomaterials with excellent biological functions and sufficient mechanical integrity. To be used as an ideal 3D printing material, it should have sufficient mechanical property and structural integrity, but at the same time, it needs excellent biological characteristics [7].
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