Title:

Gelatin-Methacrylated Hyaluronic Acid Microgels for Neural Tissue Generation In Vitro

Injectable hydrogels are a promising platform for tissue engineering due to their ability to conform to a wound and support cell infiltration. Building on previous work with gelatin-based microgels, this study employs an oil-in-water emulsion technique to introduce pores into the microgels and improve cell viability. Injectable macroporous hydrogels are particularly attractive for neural tissue engineering, offering minimally invasive delivery and a supportive framework for neural cell infiltration. This study explores the addition of methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA)–a key native neural extracellular matrix component–to gelatin microgels to improve biocompatibility and support neural tissue generation in vitro. HAMA was synthesized via esterification of hyaluronic acid with methacrylic anhydride, introducing crosslinkable methacrylate groups. Gelatin-HAMA microgels were fabricated using a previously described method, lyophilized, and rehydrated for ReN cell encapsulation. While the hydrogels formed successfully, ReN cell viability was reduced compared to gelatin-only microgels. These findings suggest that while HAMA incorporation is feasible and structurally supportive, further optimization is needed to improve the microenvironment for neural cell viability and function.

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