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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 keratin hydrogels as hemostatic and wound dressing materials
Ao Tang1, Ying Li1, Yiqian Yao1
1Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco-Textile, Donghua University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201620, China. gyang@dhu.edu.cn and College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
Biomaterials Science
|May 12, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel injectable keratin hydrogel using gold(III) salt. This biocompatible material shows promise for hemostatic applications and effective wound healing when loaded with deferoxamine.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Protein Chemistry
Background:
- Injectable hydrogels offer noninvasive administration for irregular defect filling.
- Protein-based hydrogels exhibit good biocompatibility and biofunctionality.
- Limited active groups in proteins pose challenges for convenient hydrogel development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel injectable keratin-based hydrogel using a dynamic disulfide bond and gold(I)-thiolate exchange mechanism.
- To evaluate the hydrogel's potential as a hemostatic agent and wound dressing material.
- To assess the hydrogel's efficacy as a drug delivery carrier for wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized keratin and Au(III) salt to form a hydrogel via dynamic S-S and Au-S exchange.
- Prepared the hydrogel at physiological pH.
- Evaluated hemostatic efficacy in tail amputation and liver injury models.
- Assessed drug loading capacity and wound healing performance using deferoxamine in a full-thickness excision model.
Main Results:
- Successfully developed an injectable keratin hydrogel at physiological pH.
- Demonstrated significant hemostatic effect in both animal models.
- Confirmed the hydrogel's efficiency as a drug loading carrier.
- Showed desirable wound healing outcomes with deferoxamine-loaded hydrogel.
Conclusions:
- The developed keratin-gold injectable hydrogel is a promising biomaterial for biomedical applications.
- The hydrogel exhibits effective hemostatic properties and potential for wound healing.
- This approach offers a convenient method for creating protein-based injectable hydrogels.
