Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
09:39
Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
8.9K
Injectable Supramolecular Hydrogel/Microgel Composites for Therapeutic Delivery
Minna H Chen1, Jennifer J Chung2, Joshua E Mealy1
1M. H. Chen, Dr. J. E. Mealy, Prof. J. A. Burdick, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Macromolecular Bioscience
|September 28, 2018
Summary
Injectable hydrogel composites containing microgels offer controlled drug release for tissue repair. These advanced biomaterials show promise in treating myocardial infarction by improving cardiac function and reducing inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Shear-thinning hydrogels are critical for 3D bioprinting and injectable biomaterials.
- Decoupling injectability from controlled therapeutic release is advantageous for biomedical applications.
- Microfluidics enables fabrication of microgels for tunable degradation and release kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate hydrogel-microgel composites for controlled release of therapeutics.
- To investigate the efficacy of these composites in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI).
- To assess the impact of microgel concentration on composite rheological properties.
Main Methods:
- Microfluidics used to fabricate microgels for encapsulating interleukin-10 (IL-10).
- Composite hydrogels formed by incorporating microgels, with varying microgel concentrations.
- Evaluation in a rat model of MI, comparing IL-10 loaded composites, unloaded composites, and saline injection.
Main Results:
- Composites with IL-10 significantly reduced macrophage density at 1 week post-MI.
- Improved cardiac function (ejection fraction, cardiac output) and scar thickness observed at 4 weeks.
- Unloaded composites also demonstrated benefits over saline, highlighting the hydrogel's role in tissue repair.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel-microgel composites provide a platform for controlled therapeutic delivery and enhanced tissue repair.
- The system effectively delivers IL-10 for treating myocardial infarction, improving cardiac structure and function.
- Injectable hydrogels themselves possess inherent tissue-regenerative properties.
More Related Videos
10:28An Injectable and Drug-loaded Supramolecular Hydrogel for Local Catheter Injection into the Pig Heart
Published on: June 7, 2015
17.9K
10:36Gelatin Methacryloyl Granular Hydrogel Scaffolds: High-throughput Microgel Fabrication, Lyophilization, Chemical Assembly, and 3D Bioprinting
Published on: December 9, 2022
8.0K
Related Concept Videos
03:35Classifying Matter by Composition
90.6K
Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
90.6K
01:13Therapeutic Index
6.8K
The therapeutic index of a drug is a key parameter in pharmacology that quantifies the relative safety of a drug by calculating the ratio between the dose that causes toxicity in half the population (50%) to the dose that proves to be effective for half the population (50%). It provides a spectrum of doses for a particular drug ranging from effective to potentially toxic. To illustrate, consider an anticoagulant agent like warfarin. It possesses a narrow window within its therapeutic index to...
6.8K
00:55Composite Bodies
1.4K
A composite body is a body made up of multiple parts, connected to form a larger, unified object. Each part has its own weight and center of gravity, which must be considered to determine the center of gravity of the composite body. In cases where the density or specific weight is constant, the center of gravity coincides with the centroid.
Composite bodies have widespread applications in mechanical engineering, from automobiles to aircraft to rockets. For example, an automobile wheel comprises...
Composite bodies have widespread applications in mechanical engineering, from automobiles to aircraft to rockets. For example, an automobile wheel comprises...
1.4K
01:22Composition of Blood
12.3K
The blood in our bodies comprises three major components: blood plasma, formed elements, and the extracellular matrix. Blood plasma is a yellowish fluid that constitutes 55% of the total blood volume. It is primarily made up of water and essential substances such as electrolytes and proteins. Blood plasma serves as a medium for transporting blood cells and also contains nutrients, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and gases.
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...
12.3K
01:29Composition of Body Fluids
2.6K
Water functions as a solvent accommodating various solutes, which can be categorized under electrolytes and non-electrolytes. Non-electrolytes are usually held together by covalent bonds, restricting them from dissociating in solution, thereby leading to a lack of electrically charged components upon dissolving in water. They are predominantly organic molecules, such as glucose, creatinine, and urea. Electrolytes, on the other hand, are compounds that can break down into ions in water.
2.6K
01:30Therapeutic Communication
8.2K
Communication is a lifelong learning process. Through therapeutic communication, nurses can collect relevant assessment data, provide education and counseling, and interact during nursing interventions. Sending and receiving messages occur through verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and can happen separately or simultaneously.
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
8.2K