Nanogel tectonic porous gel loading biologics, nanocarriers, and cells for advanced scaffold

We developed a new self-assembled amphiphilic nanogel-crosslinked porous (NanoCliP) gel that can trap proteins, liposomes, and cells. The NanoCliP gel was prepared by Michael addition of a self-assembled nanogel of acryloyl group-modified cholesterol-bearing pullulan to pentaerythritol tetra (mercaptoethyl) polyoxyethylene, followed by freezing-induced phase separation. Dynamic rheological analysis revealed that the storage modulus (G') of the NanoCliP gel was approximately 10 times greater than that of a nonporous nanogel-crosslinked gel. Two-photon excitation deep imaging revealed that the NanoCliP gel comprises interconnected pores of several hundred micrometers in diameter. The NanoCliP gel trapped proteins and liposomes via hydrophobic interactions because its amphiphilic nanogels exhibit chaperone-like activity. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts penetrated the interconnected pores and adhered to the porous surface of fibronectin-complexed NanoCliP gel. In vivo, the NanoCliP gel enhanced cell infiltration, tissue ingrowth, and neovascularization without requiring exogenous growth factors, suggesting that the NanoCliP gel is a promising scaffold for tissue engineering.