Synthesis and characterization of a self-fluorescent hyaluronic acid-based gel for dermal applications

Combinations of polymer conjugates affording in situ gelation hold promise for treatment of pathological cavities (e.g., arthritis) and sustained drug release. In particular, hyaluronic acid (HA) functionalized with reactive groups is regarded as an excellent biomaterial due to its tunable cross-linking kinetics and mechanical properties. HA-based reagents, however, can be irritating to surrounding tissues due to the reactivity of pendant groups, and their fast gelation kinetics can result in poor cavity filling. In this study, a biocompatible "click" reaction between cyanobenzothiazole (CBT) and d-cysteine (d-Cys) is employed to produce HA-based conjugates for in situ gelation. Rheological studies conducted on a gel obtained from the combination of HA-CBT and HA-d-Cys indicate optimal gelation time and mechanical properties. Further, in vitro studies on porcine skin demonstrate the ability of the gel to form in situ upon subcutaneous injection or topical application, and to act as a reservoir for sustained release of protein therapeutics. Finally, the safety of the HA-based conjugates is demonstrated on human keratinocytes. The presented results demonstrate the applicability of the binary mixture for in situ gelation and the potential of the proposed system for a variety of biomedical applications.