Biomimicking Robust Hydrogel for the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Carrier

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Engineering

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) necessitates advanced treatments.
• Drug-eluting stents (DES) are common, but require improved surface coatings.
• Adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) show immunomodulatory potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a hydrogel-nanofiber composite as a carrier for AD-MSCs.
• To evaluate its suitability for surface coating of DES.
• To assess its potential for immunomodulatory therapies in CAD.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of hydrogel-nanofiber scaffolds using sodium alginate, dispersing-nanofibers (dNFs), and poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEGDA).
• Evaluation of cell viability and proliferation using LDH and alamar blue assays.
• Assessment of hydrogel mechanical strength via Nile-red microparticle retention.
• Determination of immunomodulatory activity by measuring L-Kynurenine and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) levels.

Main Results:

• The developed SA-cys-dNF-PEG hydrogels exhibited superior mechanical strength when coated on stents.
• dNFs significantly enhanced the stability and mechanical robustness of the hydrogel scaffolds.
• AD-MSCs within the hydrogel demonstrated dose-dependent L-Kynurenine production, indicating IDO-mediated immunomodulation, especially under oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel-nanofiber composite, termed "mud-and-straw" hydrogels, possesses robust mechanical properties.
• These hydrogels provide an ideal niche for AD-MSCs.
• The system exhibits significant immunomodulatory effects, suitable for DES applications in CAD treatment.