Fabrication and Characterization of Agarose/ Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate/ Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Hydrogel by 3D Printing Method for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

The limited ability of cartilage to regenerate and repair itself after injury is a major challenge in tissue engineering. Recently, Interpenetrating Network (IPN) hydrogels have received much attention in the construction of tissue engineering scaffolds due to their favorable biological properties and improved mechanical performance compared to single network hydrogels. In this study, the cartilage scaffold was made from two biocompatible materials, agarose and Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) using 3D printing and the effect of different concentrations of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) on its physical, mechanical, and structural properties was investigated through mechanical properties and field emission scanning electron microscope tests. Also swelling test were performed on the samples with and without nHA. In addition, in vitro cell culture was performed with $\mathbf{L 9 2 9}$ cells on the surface of the scaffolds which nontoxicity and biocompatibility was observed at the rate of $\mathbf{9 5 . 6 \%}$ after 5 days.