Injectable redox-polymerized methylcellulose hydrogels as potential soft tissue filler materials

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Clinical need for injectable, long-lasting soft tissue fillers.
• Methylcellulose (MC) as a biocompatible, renewable, and cost-effective alternative.
• Existing fillers face limitations in longevity, biocompatibility, or cost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize redox-polymerized methylcellulose hydrogels for soft tissue reconstruction.
• To tune hydrogel properties, including mechanical strength and swelling.
• To assess the injectability, degradability, and cytocompatibility of the developed hydrogels.

Main Methods:

• Methylcellulose modification with methacrylate groups.
• Redox-initiated polymerization to form hydrogels.
• Rheological analysis for mechanical properties and injectability.
• Enzymatic degradation studies using cellulase.
• In vitro cytocompatibility assessment using human dermal fibroblasts.

Main Results:

• Tunable hydrogel equilibrium moduli (1.29–12.8 kPa) comparable to human adipose tissue.
• Inverse relationship observed between hydrogel modulus and swelling properties.
• Gelation kinetics met ISO standards for injectable materials.
• Complete hydrogel degradation within 48 hours via cellulase treatment.
• Positive cytocompatibility demonstrated through DNA assays and Live/Dead staining.

Conclusions:

• Redox-polymerized methylcellulose hydrogels exhibit tunable mechanical properties suitable for soft tissue augmentation.
• The hydrogels are injectable, biocompatible, and enzymatically degradable, allowing for minimally invasive removal.
• These MC-based hydrogels present a viable option for various clinical applications requiring soft tissue reconstruction.