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Protease-degradable microgels for protein delivery for vascularization
Greg A Foster1, Devon M Headen1, Cristina González-García2
1Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Biomaterials
|November 6, 2016
Summary
Injectable microgels offer a less invasive method for delivering therapeutic proteins, enhancing tissue repair and vascularization. These degradable poly(ethylene glycol) microgels enable controlled protein release and promote new blood vessel growth.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Degradable hydrogels are promising for tissue repair but require invasive implantation.
- Current methods can lead to inflammation, scarring, and infection.
- There is a need for minimally invasive protein delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer injectable, degradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microgels for controlled protein delivery.
- To investigate the triggered release of bioactive proteins from microgels.
- To evaluate the efficacy of microgel-based delivery for promoting vascularization in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microfluidics for precise engineering of PEG microgels with defined sizes.
- Incorporated protease-degradable peptides for triggered protein release.
- Tuned release kinetics by adjusting degradable to non-degradable crosslinker ratios.
- Assessed protein bioactivity post-release.
- Evaluated microgel degradation and vascularization in a mouse model.
Main Results:
- Successfully engineered injectable PEG microgels with tunable protein release rates.
- Released proteins retained full bioactivity.
- In vivo studies showed microgels degraded within two weeks in the subcutaneous space.
- Controlled release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) significantly enhanced vascularization compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic engineering enables the creation of injectable, degradable microgels for controlled protein delivery.
- This approach offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional hydrogel implantation.
- Degradable microgels show significant potential for regenerative medicine applications, particularly in promoting vascularization.
