Multilayered hydrogel scaffold construct with native tissue matched elastic modulus: A regenerative microenvironment...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Urology

Background:

• Urethral repair faces challenges from unsuitable deformation, harsh urine, and lack of a regenerative microenvironment (RME), leading to scarring.
• Current scaffold-based approaches are hindered by these factors, preventing effective urethral regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal elastic modulus for urethral repair scaffolds.
• To design and evaluate a multilayered poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel scaffold for scar-free urethral healing.

Main Methods:

• Design of a multilayered PVA hydrogel scaffold with self-healing inner layer and extracellular matrix-like outer layer.
• In vivo testing of the scaffold for urethral repair.
• Mechanistic studies on the scaffold's effect on inflammatory response and macrophage polarization.

Main Results:

• The PVA multilayered hydrogel scaffold demonstrated successful scar-free urethral healing in vivo.
• The scaffold's inner layer resisted urine erosion and suture damage.
• The outer layer, combined with adipose-derived stem cells, created a favorable RME.

Conclusions:

• The developed PVA hydrogel scaffold effectively promotes scar-free urethral healing.
• The scaffold mitigates urine-induced inflammation and enhances the proliferative phase of wound healing by regulating macrophage polarization.
• This study provides crucial mechanical criteria and design insights for urethral tissue-engineered scaffolds.