biostudies-literatureIudin DEuropean Research CouncilDutch Research Council (NWO)4108-4123https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12273623biostudies-literatureUnknown26(7)Three-dimensional printing of hydrogels enables the fabrication of complex structures for tissue engineering. Postprinting shrinking via electrostatic interactions offers a promising strategy to better replicate the size and intricacy of native tissues. This study explores hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels that undergo shrinking upon polycation penetration and complexation focusing on the influence of the HA macromer concentration, molecular weight, cross-linking density, hydrogel initial volume, and polycation properties on shrinking efficiency. To support cell adhesion, RGD peptides were incorporated into the HA network. The polycation concentration strongly affected cell viability: a high concentration of 1 wt % resulted in reduced viability, while 0.1 wt % preserved it with effectivBiomacromoleculesIn-Depth Investigation of Electrostatic Interaction-Based Hydrogel Shrinking for Volumetric Printing and Tissue Engineering Applications.PMC12273623022.006.00318673101115643Iudin DLevato RGerridzen LJJANeumann MNguyen LLi WCasadidio Cvan Genderen AMHak JMasereeuw RVermonden TN Bernal Pvan Ravensteijn BGPSchuurmans CCLZhang YSvan Steenbergen MJfalseIn-Depth Investigation of Electrostatic Interaction-Based Hydrogel Shrinking for Volumetric Printing and Tissue Engineering Applications.Three-dimensional printing of hydrogels enables the fabrication of complex structures for tissue engineering. Postprinting shrinking via electrostatic interactions offers a promising strategy to better replicate the size and intricacy of native tissues. This study explores hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels that undergo shrinking upon polycation penetration and complexation focusing on the influence of the HA macromer concentration, molecular weight, cross-linking density, hydrogel initial volume, and polycation properties on shrinking efficiency. To support cell adhesion, RGD peptides were incorporated into the HA network. The polycation concentration strongly affected cell viability: a high concentration of 1 wt % resulted in reduced viability, while 0.1 wt % preserved it with effectiv2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jul2026-03-18T14:01:12.538Z2025-08-23T03:06:24.652ZS-EPMC122736234051873010.1021/acs.biomac.5c00117