The management of critical-sized bile duct defects remains a significant clinical challenge, as current options like autologous grafts and synthetic stents provide mechanical support but lack the bioactivity needed for functional regeneration. To address this, we developed a novel tissue-engineered artificial bile duct using a photocrosslinkable gelatin methacryloyl-sodium alginate (GelMA-SA) hybrid hydrogel. This biomimetic artificial bile duct synergizes the superior cell-adhesion of GelMA with the mechanical robustness of SA. A systematically optimized GelMA-SA formulation demonstrated ideal physicochemical properties, including suitable mechanical strength, controlled degradation kinetics, and a conducive microarchitecture for cell growth. Comprehensive in vitro studies confirmed the excellent biocompatibility of artificial bile duct, promoting the proliferation of biliary epithelial cells. Our findings establish this GelMA-SA hybrid hydrogel-based artificial bile duct as a promising repair solution. It effectively bridges the gap between structural support and biological functionality, offering a versatile platform technology for biliary reconstruction and tubular tissue engineering.
Liu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.