A 3D Bioprinted Nanoengineered Hydrogel with Photoactivated Drug Delivery for Tumor Apoptosis and Simultaneous Bone Regeneration via Macrophage Immunomodulation

One of the significant challenges in bone tissue engineering (BTE) is the healing of traumatic tissue defects owing to the recruitment of local infection and delayed angiogenesis. Herein, a 3D printable multi-functional hydrogel composing polyphenolic carbon quantum dots (CQDs, 100 µg mL⁻¹) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA, 12 wt%) is reported for robust angiogenesis, bone regeneration and anti-tumor therapy. The CQDs are synthesized from a plant-inspired bioactive molecule, 1, 3, 5-trihydroxybenzene. The 3D printed GelMA-CQDs hydrogels display typical shear-thinning behavior with excellent printability. The fabricated hydrogel displayed M2 polarization of macrophage (Raw 264.7) cells via enhancing anti-inflammatory genes (e.g., IL-4 and IL10), and induced angiogenesis and osteogenesis of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). The bioprinted hBMSCs are able to produce vessel-like structures after 14 d of incubation. Furthermore, the 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds also show remarkable near infra-red (NIR) responsive properties under 808 nm NIR light (1.0 W cm⁻²) irradiation with controlled release of antitumor drugs (≈49%) at pH 6.5, and thereby killing the osteosarcoma cells. Therefore, it is anticipated that the tissue regeneration and healing ability with therapeutic potential of the GelMA-CQDs scaffolds may provide a promising alternative for traumatic tissue regeneration via augmenting angiogenesis and accelerated immunomodulation.