Bioactive-Tissue-Derived Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Permanent Arterial Embolization and Enhanced Vascular Healing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Current embolic agents for transcatheter embolization face limitations including recanalization, non-target embolization, and toxicity.
• There is a need for advanced embolic materials with improved mechanical stability, biological activity, and safety profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM)-based nanocomposite hydrogel as a next-generation biofunctional embolic agent.
• To assess the embolic efficacy, biocompatibility, and degradation profile of the ECM-based hydrogel in a preclinical model.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a decellularized cardiac ECM-based nanocomposite hydrogel with shear-thinning properties.
• Evaluation of mechanical stability, catheter injectability, and retrievability.
• In vivo assessment of embolic efficacy and biological response in a porcine iliac and renal artery embolization model.

Main Results:

• The ECM-based hydrogel exhibited superior mechanical stability, catheter injectability, and retrievability.
• Successful embolization was achieved in the porcine model, with the hydrogel promoting arterial vessel wall remodeling and a fibroinflammatory response.
• The hydrogel demonstrated significant biodegradation, with only 25% remaining at 14 days, and showed antibacterial and proregenerative properties.

Conclusions:

• The developed ECM-based hydrogel represents a promising next-generation biofunctional embolic agent with superior performance compared to existing agents.
• Its unique combination of mechanical properties, biological activity, and biodegradation profile makes it suitable for treating a wide range of vascular diseases.
• The hydrogel's efficacy in anticoagulated blood and its proregenerative capabilities highlight its potential to overcome current clinical limitations.