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Zambuto SG, Kolluru SS, Ferchichi E, Rudewick HF, Fodera DM, Myers KM, Zustiak SP, Oyen ML. Evaluation of gelatin bloom strength on gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel properties. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 154:106509. [PMID: 38518513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels are widely used for a variety of tissue engineering applications. The properties of gelatin can affect the mechanical properties of gelatin gels; however, the role of gelatin properties such as bloom strength on GelMA hydrogels has not yet been explored. Bloom strength is a food industry standard for describing the quality of gelatin, where higher bloom strength is associated with higher gelatin molecular weight. Here, we evaluate the role of bloom strength on GelMA hydrogel mechanical properties. We determined that both bloom strength of gelatin and weight percent of GelMA influenced both stiffness and viscoelastic ratio; however, only bloom strength affected diffusivity, permeability, and pore size. With this library of GelMA hydrogels of varying properties, we then encapsulated Swan71 trophoblast spheroids in these hydrogel variants to assess how bloom strength affects trophoblast spheroid morphology. Overall, we observed a decreasing trend of spheroid area and Feret diameter as bloom strength increased. In identifying clear relationships between bloom strength, hydrogel mechanical properties, and trophoblast spheroid morphology, we demonstrate that bloom strength should considered when designing tissue engineered constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G Zambuto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Samyuktha S Kolluru
- Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA; The Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Eya Ferchichi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, 63103, USA
| | - Hannah F Rudewick
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Daniella M Fodera
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristin M Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Silviya P Zustiak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, 63103, USA
| | - Michelle L Oyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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