Tetronic-oligolactide-heparin hydrogel as a multi-functional scaffold for tissue regeneration

A novel cell-supporting scaffold, Tetronic-oligolactide-heparin (TLH) hydrogel, was prepared by coupling heparin to polymerized Tetronic-oligolactide for use in improving tissue regeneration. Aqueous TLH solutions showed thermosensitive behavior, demonstrating potential for use as injectable hydrogels. The content and activity of conjugated heparin were determined to be 61 wt.-% of total polymer and 67.2% of intact heparin activity, respectively. The basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) binding assay showed TLH hydrogel had a relatively high bFGF affinity, which indicates applicability for growth factor delivery. Chondrocyte culture on hydrogels revealed that the cell viability and the amount of synthesized glycosaminoglycan for TLH hydrogel were higher than those for alginate gel.