Will 3D printed scaffolds with cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogels tend to deform? Hyaluronic acid itself has poor mechanical properties, if it doesn't have enough structural strength and rigidity, can it take the load of human tissue?
Crosslinking of hyaluronic acid molecules increases its stability and strength. This makes it possible to create rigid hydrogels for medical purposes. However, for heavy loads, additional reinforcement may be required.
Cross-linked HA hydrogels alone typically cannot take the load of human tissue in demanding applications, but they can be adapted for non-load-bearing environments or used in hybrid scaffolds for structural reinforcement. For load-bearing tissue engineering, careful material selection and scaffold design are essential.