3D Bioprinting of Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA)-Based Scaffolds for Fibroblast-Mediated Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving coordinated cellular and molecular events that restore tissue integrity following injury.Conventional wound management strategies often fail to provide optimal structural support and cellular microenvironments necessary for effective tissue regeneration.Recent advances in tissue engineering and additive manufacturing have introduced three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting as a promising approach for developing biomimetic scaffolds.Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), a photo-crosslinkable derivative of gelatin, has emerged as an attractive biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, and ability to support cell adhesion and proliferation.GelMA-based scaffolds fabricated through 3D bioprinting enable precise control over scaffold architecture, porosity, and cellular distribution.Fibroblast cells, which play a central role in extracellular matrix deposition and wound remodeling, are frequently incorporated within these scaffolds to enhance tissue regeneration.This review discusses the properties of GelMA, various 3D bioprinting techniques used for scaffold fabrication, the integration of fibroblast cells within GelMA matrices, and the application of these constructs in wound healing and skin tissue engineering.Current challenges and future perspectives in the development of GelMA-based bioprinted scaffolds for regenerative medicine are also highlighted.