Integration of 3D printed GelMA in rat liver: A pilot study

Liver transplantation is the only treatment for patients with end-stage liver diseases yet the limited availability of donor organs greatly restricts this treatment option. One innovative approach to mitigate this challenge involves biofabrication of tissues through 3D Bioprinting technology. Gelatin Methacrylamide (GelMA), a modified form of gelatin is one of the extensively studied hydrogel for bioprinting of soft tissues. This study reports a non-cytotoxic, printable bioink formulation composed of 10% GelMA, 3% Gelatin and 0.25% LAP (GelMA-G-L). We have studied the in vivo integration of the 3D printed construct within rat liver tissue following upto a 30-days implantation period. Histological examination revealed that the 3D printed GelMA-G-L construct had successfully integrated with the surrounding liver tissue, displaying adequate vascularization with no indications of adverse immune responses or rejection signs.