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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Dual physical dynamic bond-based injectable and biodegradable hydrogel for tissue regeneration
Xiaochu Ding1, Jin Gao, Hassan Awada
1Department of Bioengineering and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
A novel injectable hydrogel was developed using dual dynamic bonds for tissue regeneration. This biodegradable material shows low cytotoxicity and sustained release of growth factors, indicating promise for wound healing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Development of advanced hydrogels for biomedical applications requires sophisticated network structures.
- Existing synthetic materials often face challenges with biocompatibility and controlled release kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a biodegradable, injectable hydrogel with dual physical dynamic bonds.
- To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the novel hydrogel.
- To assess the sustained release of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) for potential therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of mPEG-grafted poly(ethylene argininylaspartate diglyceride) (mPEG-g-PEAD) via polymer coupling.
- Formation of a supramolecular hydrogel network using mPEG-g-PEAD, α-cyclodextrin, and heparin.
- In vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility assays using primary baboon arterial smooth muscle cells (BaSMCs).
- Assessment of FGF2 release kinetics from the hydrogel over 16 days.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel exhibited rapid gelation and shear-thinning properties.
- The synthetic polycation demonstrated significantly lower cytotoxicity compared to commercial poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI).
- The hydrogel and its components were found to be biocompatible with BaSMCs.
- Sustained release of FGF2 was achieved for up to 16 days without an initial burst release.
Conclusions:
- The dual physical dynamic bond-based hydrogel is a promising biodegradable and injectable biomaterial.
- Its excellent biocompatibility and controlled release profile suggest significant potential for wound healing and ischemic tissue regeneration.
