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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
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Polydopamine Nanoparticles Modulating Stimuli-Responsive PNIPAM Hydrogels with Cell/Tissue Adhesiveness
Lu Han1, Yanning Zhang1, Xiong Lu1,2
1Key Lab of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|October 7, 2016
Summary
This study developed a novel near-infrared (NIR)-responsive hydrogel by combining poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs). This advanced material exhibits self-healing, tissue adhesion, and controlled drug release for potential therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Stimuli-responsive hydrogels offer tunable properties for various applications.
- Near-infrared (NIR) light provides precise external control over hydrogel behavior.
- Developing advanced hydrogels with multiple functionalities is crucial for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate a novel NIR-responsive hydrogel with self-healing and tissue adhesive properties.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) in hydrogel systems.
- To explore the potential of this composite hydrogel for drug delivery, actuation, and wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of PDA-NPs into a PNIPAM network to create PDA-NPs/PNIPAM hydrogels.
- Characterization of NIR-induced phase transitions and volume changes.
- Evaluation of self-healing, drug release kinetics, and tissue adhesion strength.
- In vivo assessment of wound healing acceleration using PDA-NPs coated hydrogels with immobilized growth factors.
Main Results:
- The PDA-NPs/PNIPAM hydrogel demonstrated tunable phase transitions and volume changes in response to NIR irradiation.
- The hydrogel exhibited triple response effects: pulsatile drug release, NIR-driven actuation, and NIR-assisted self-healing.
- PDA-NPs coating enhanced cell affinity, tissue adhesiveness (up to 90 KPa to porcine skin), and protein immobilization.
- In vivo studies showed accelerated wound healing due to the synergistic effect of PDA-NPs coating and immobilized growth factors.
Conclusions:
- A novel NIR-responsive, self-healing, and adhesive hydrogel was successfully developed by combining PNIPAM and PDA-NPs.
- The composite hydrogel offers versatile functionalities for controlled drug delivery, actuation, and enhanced tissue regeneration.
- This material holds significant promise for advanced chemical and physical therapies, particularly in wound management.
