ASCORBIC ACID-ENHANCED ADSC-LADEN DERMAL DECM BIOINKS FOR 3D BIOPRINTING

9th INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCE AND LIFE CONGRESS, Antalya, Turkey, 15 - 18 April 2026, pp.65, (Summary Text)

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a promising strategy for skin tissue engineering;

however, achieving both adequate printability and a dermal-specific biological microenvironment

remains challenging. Dermis-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) preserves native

biochemical cues, while adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a suitable cell source for dermal

applications. Enhancing cell-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition is essential for dermal

tissue formation.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the printability of ADSC-laden sheep dermis-derived dECM–GelMA

bioinks and to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on cell behavior and endogenous

ECM deposition.

Methods: Sheep dermis was decellularized using a multistep protocol and characterized by histological

and biochemical analyses. The resulting dECM was processed into a hydrogel and combined with

gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) to obtain printable hybrid bioinks. ADSCs were encapsulated within the

dECM–GelMA formulations and fabricated using an extrusion-based 3D bioprinting system. Ascorbic

acid was supplemented in the culture medium. Cell viability and morphology were assessed using

live/dead staining and confocal microscopy, while histological analyses were performed to evaluate

matrix deposition.

Results: Quantitative analysis showed that more than 90% of native DNA was removed during

decellularization, which was confirmed by the absence of nuclear material in H&E and DAPI staining.

The dECM hydrogels were successfully crosslinked with GelMA, forming stable hybrid networks.

Swelling tests demonstrated effective crosslinking and sufficient network integrity for bioprinting.

ADSC viability remained above 70% at 24 and 72 hours post-printing. Ascorbic acid supplementation

significantly increased cell spreading (p < 0.05) and enhanced collagen-rich matrix deposition.

Discussion and Conclusion: Dermis-derived dECM–GelMA bioinks support the printability and

viability of ADSC-laden constructs. Ascorbic acid enhances endogenous ECM deposition without

exogenous collagen addition, representing a promising strategy for bioprinted dermal tissue engineering.

Keywords: Skin tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, decellularized dermal extracellular

matrix, ADSC, ascorbic acid.