Visible Light-Induced Hydrogelation of an Alginate Derivative and Application to Stereolithographic Bioprinting Using a Visible Light Projector and Acid Red.

Visible light-induced hydrogelation is attractive for various biomedical applications. In this study, hydrogels of alginate with phenolic hydroxyl groups (Alg-Ph) were obtained by irradiating a solution containing the polymer, ruthenium II trisbipyridyl chloride ([Ru(bpy) ₃ ] ²⁺ ) and sodium persulfate (SPS), with visible light. The hydrogelation kinetics and the mechanical properties of the resultant hydrogels were tunable by controlling the intensity of the light and the concentrations of [Ru(bpy) ₃ ] ²⁺ and SPS. With appropriate concentrations of [Ru(bpy) ₃ ] ²⁺ and SPS, the hydrogel could be obtained following approximately 10 s of irradiation using a normal desktop lamp. The hydrogelation process and the resultant hydrogel were cytocompatible; mouse fibroblast cells enclosed in the Alg-Ph hydrogel maintained more than 90% viability for 1 week. The solution containing Alg-Ph, [Ru(bpy) ₃ ] ²⁺ and SPS was useful as a bioink for stereolithographic bioprinting. Cell-laden hydrogel constructs could be printed using the bioprinting system equipped with a visible light projector without a significant decrease in cell viability in the presence of photoabsorbent Acid Red 18. The hydrogel construct including a perfusable helical lumen of 1 mm in diameter could be fabricated using the printing system. These results demonstrate the significant potential of this visible light-induced hydrogelation system and the stereolithographic bioprinting using the hydrogelation system for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.