Injectable Colloidal Hydrogels of N-Vinylformamide Microgels Dispersed in Covalently Interlinked pH-Responsive
Xuelian Wang1, Daman J Adlam2, Ran Wang1
1School of Materials, University of Manchester, MECD Building A, Manchester M1 7HL, U.K.
Biomacromolecules
|April 7, 2023
Summary
New injectable hydrogels using pH-responsive microgels (MGs) and non-ionic microgels were developed. These composite doubly crosslinked microgels (DX MGs) achieve mechanical properties similar to nucleus pulposus tissue for soft tissue augmentation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Injectable hydrogels are crucial for augmenting soft tissues, requiring mechanical properties matching the target tissue.
- Traditional synthetic hydrogels face challenges like diffusion and osmotic pressure issues.
- Previously developed doubly crosslinked microgels (DX MGs) had moduli exceeding that of nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop injectable composite DX MGs with tunable mechanical properties for soft tissue augmentation.
- To match the mechanical properties of human nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue.
- To create pH-responsive hydrogels with low cytotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of hydrophilic poly(N-vinylformamide) (NVF) microgels into pH-responsive poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PEA-MAA) microgels.
- Systematic variation of NVF microgel content to tune composite DX MG properties.
- Investigation of morphology and mechanical properties of the resulting injectable gels.
Main Results:
- Composite DX MGs demonstrated tunable mechanical properties based on NVF content.
- Achieved gel moduli closely matching those of native NP tissue.
- The developed injectable hydrogels exhibited low cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Composite DX MGs offer a promising strategy for tuning hydrogel mechanical properties.
- This approach enables the creation of injectable hydrogels suitable for minimally invasive intervertebral disk augmentation.
- The developed hydrogels show potential for soft tissue repair and regeneration.
