Development of crosslinked methylcellulose hydrogels for soft tissue augmentation using an ammonium...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Methylcellulose hydrogels are explored for soft tissue repair.
• Photocrosslinking has limitations; redox initiation offers clinical advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop injectable methylcellulose hydrogels using a redox initiation system.
• To characterize the physical, mechanical, and degradation properties of these hydrogels.
• To assess the cytocompatibility of the hydrogels with human dermal fibroblasts.

Main Methods:

• Methylcellulose was modified with methacrylate groups.
• Polymerization was achieved using an ammonium persulfate (APS)-ascorbic acid (AA) redox system.
• Hydrogel properties (moduli, gelation time) were measured, and degradation was induced by cellulase. Cytocompatibility was evaluated through co-culture with fibroblasts.

Main Results:

• Injectable hydrogels with tunable moduli (1.47–5.31 kPa) were produced by varying macromer concentration (2–4% w/v).
• Gelation times met ISO standards for injectability.
• Cellulase treatment led to complete hydrogel degradation within 24 hours.
• Co-culture studies confirmed the cytocompatibility of the methylcellulose hydrogels.

Conclusions:

• APS-AA redox-polymerized methylcellulose hydrogels exhibit tunable mechanical properties suitable for soft tissue.
• The hydrogels demonstrate controllable degradation and excellent cytocompatibility.
• These findings support the potential of these hydrogels as injectable soft tissue fillers for clinical use.