Robust tissue adhesion in biomedical applications: enhancing polymer stability in an injectable protein-based...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Protein-based hydrogels are attractive for therapeutics due to biocompatibility and biodegradability.
• Existing hydrogels often suffer from poor mechanical properties, transient adhesion, and limited biocompatibility.
• There is a need for advanced hydrogels with improved mechanical strength and tissue adhesion for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, robust, and biocompatible protein-based hydrogel for tissue adhesion.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties, tissue adhesion strength, and biocompatibility of the new hydrogel.
• To assess the potential of this hydrogel as a superior alternative to existing tissue adhesives.

Main Methods:

• Formulated a two-component hydrogel from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and gelatin.
• Crosslinked the protein solution using Tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC).
• Characterized mechanical properties (tensile strength, compressive strength), tissue adhesion, cell viability (L929 cells), and gelation time.

Main Results:

• The BSA-gelatin hydrogel exhibited high tensile strength (73.33 ± 11.54 KPa) and compressive strength (173 KPa at 75% strain).
• Achieved a maximum tissue adhesion strength of 18.29 ± 2.22 kPa, surpassing fibrin glue.
• Demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with L929 cells (97.09 ± 6.07% viability) and rapid gelation (1.25 ± 0.17 min).

Conclusions:

• The developed BSA-gelatin hydrogel possesses significantly enhanced mechanical and adhesive properties.
• The hydrogel is biocompatible, injectable, and exhibits rapid gelation under physiological conditions.
• This novel protein-based hydrogel shows great potential as an advanced tissue adhesive in biomedical industries.