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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Injectable PAMAM/ODex double-crosslinked hydrogels with high mechanical strength.
Sidi Li1, Jianwei Wang, Lifeng Song
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China. Equal contribution.
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England)
|December 10, 2016
Summary
Injectable hydrogels were created using poly(amido-amine) dendrimers and oxidized dextrans without toxic cross-linkers. These biocompatible hydrogels show enhanced adhesion and potential for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Developing injectable hydrogels for tissue engineering requires biocompatible materials and efficient crosslinking strategies.
- Traditional cross-linkers can exhibit cytotoxicity, necessitating alternative methods for hydrogel formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare in situ injectable, double-crosslinked hydrogels using poly(amido-amine) dendrimers (PAMAM) and oxidized dextrans (ODex).
- To investigate the influence of PAMAM characteristics on gelation and evaluate the hydrogels' adhesive strength and cytocompatibility for potential tissue engineering applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized double-crosslinked hydrogels via Schiff's base reaction and disulfide bond formation under physiological conditions.
- Characterized hydrogel morphology (SEM), gelation time, swelling, rheology, and adhesive strength.
- Assessed cytocompatibility using L929 mouse fibroblast cells.
Main Results:
- Hydrogel formation was influenced by PAMAM surface amino density, concentration, and generation, with moderate PAMAM concentration (10% wt) and lower generation favoring gelation.
- The injectable PAMAM/ODex hydrogels exhibited double-crosslinked structures, high crosslinking density, and a high storage modulus.
- Hydrogels demonstrated superior adhesive strength (2.4x fibrin glue) and excellent biocompatibility, supporting L929 cell attachment and proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Novel injectable, double-crosslinked PAMAM/ODex hydrogels can be prepared under physiological conditions without cytotoxic cross-linkers.
- These hydrogels possess favorable mechanical properties, enhanced adhesion, and excellent biocompatibility, indicating significant potential for tissue engineering applications.
