Thiol-ene click chemistry: Enabling 3D printing of natural-based inks for biomedical applications

• Published in: Biomaterials advances Vol. 167; p. 214105
• Main Authors: Malafaia, Andreia P., Sobreiro-Almeida, Rita, Rodrigues, João M.M., Mano, João F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2025
• Subjects: 3D bioprinting; Bioinks; Polysaccharides; Proteins; Regenerative medicine; Thiol-ene; Tissue engineering; IEDDA; Col-MA; HA–SH; PEGDT; Regenerative medicine; CLP; TZ; lmHA; SLA; hmHA; EDC/NHS; SPAAC; Proteins; MA; TEG2SH; Ru/SPS; UV; VBP; PEG4SH; Gel-NOR; AM; NOR; MMP; Pect-NOR; hPDCs; 2PP; CuAAC; ROS; PCL; P(AGE-co-G); HUVECs; TCO; hMSCs; DTT; DLP; TERM; DLW; Thiol-ene; Polysaccharides; SH; GelMA; Gel–SH; HA-NOR; NHDFs; ASCs; Irgacure/Irgacure 2959; ene; CA; AGE; CB; NCs; Bioinks; Alg-NOR; PEG-SH; VA-086; Tissue engineering; VEGF; PEGDA; PF127–SH; Pul-NOR; 3D bioprinting; HAMA; ECM; P2CK; Hep-SH; TE; 3D; PEG; Col-NOR; DAS; LbL; PG; HA; PEG-NOR; DoF; LAP; Gel-AGE; DA
• ISSN: 2772-9508; 2772-9508
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.214105

Over the last decade, 3D bioprinting has gained increasing popularity, being a technique capable of producing well-defined tissue-like structures. One of its most groundbreaking features is the ability to create personalized therapies tailored to the specific demands of individual patients. However, challenges including the selection of materials and crosslinking strategies, still need to be addressed to enhance ink characteristics and develop robust biomaterials. Herein, the authors showcase the potential of overcoming these challenges, focusing on the use of versatile, fast, and selective thiol-ene click chemistry to formulate inks for 3D bioprinting. The exploration of natural polymers, specifically proteins and polysaccharides, will be discussed and highlighted, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. Leveraging advanced thiol-ene click chemistry and natural polymers in the development of 3D printable bioinks may face the current challenges and is envisioned to pave the way towards innovative and personalized biomaterials for biomedical applications. •Thiol-ene photo click chemistry is a fast, reproducible and specific technique.•The bioink design and degree of modification depend on the 3D printing strategy.•Natural thiol-ene bioinks offer enhanced biological and physical properties.•Optimized thiol:ene ratios ensure effective crosslinking in printed constructs.•Thiol-ene bioinks are promising and effective for personalized medicine approaches.