Exploring the potential of supramolecular hydrogels as advanced bioinks for bioprinting and biomedical applications

Supramolecular hydrogels have emerged as versatile bioinks in tissue engineering, providing a promising avenue for constructing intricate and functional biological structures. This paper explores the significance of employing supramolecular hydrogels as advanced bioinks for three-dimensional bioprinting and various biomedical applications. Supramolecular hydrogels possess distinct and tunable characteristics attributed to the dynamic nature of supramolecular host-guest interactions alongside interactions based on DNA and peptides, which increases their significance in tissue engineering. These interactions are essential for enhancing the mechanical properties, injectability, printability, post-printing stability, and biocompatibility of hydrogels. Gelation kinetics and rheological properties can also be manipulated to suit specific printing techniques. Furthermore, these supramolecular interactions facilitate the incorporation of bioactive molecules to regulate cellular behavior and tissue development. These diverse interactions observed in supramolecular hydrogels underscore their ability to emulate the dynamic and responsive nature of the cell’s extracellular matrix, which fosters cell growth, adherence, and differentiation. This review specifically highlights the cucurbit[n]uril and cyclodextrin-based host-guest supramolecular hydrogels, as well as peptide and DNA-based supramolecular structures as advanced bioinks and brief examples of their applications in various biomedical fields. These advanced bioinks would drive the development of intricate tissue constructs with enhanced biomimicry and therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine.