In Situ Forming Supramolecular Nanofiber Hydrogel as a Biodegradable Liquid Embolic Agent for Postembolization Tissue...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Interventional Radiology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Biodegradable liquid embolic agents are crucial for minimally invasive procedures in interventional radiology.
• Existing agents often lack a balance of high embolization performance, biodegradability, and operability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop novel in situ-forming supramolecular nanofiber (SNF) hydrogels as advanced biodegradable liquid embolic agents.
• To optimize the hydrogel properties for enhanced embolization and clinical applicability.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Bayesian optimization within an active learning pipeline for SNF hydrogel design.
• Chemically modified gelatin with hydrogen-bonding moieties to create fibrin-inspired nanofiber hydrogels.
• Evaluated injectability, tissue adhesion, blood compatibility, cytocompatibility, and biodegradability (in vitro and in vivo).

Main Results:

• Developed SNF hydrogels with fibrin-inspired structures exhibiting high blood coagulation capacity.
• Achieved low viscosity for microcatheter injectability and demonstrated suitable vessel wall adhesion with minimal catheter adhesion.
• Confirmed excellent blood compatibility, cytocompatibility, cell adhesion, and biodegradability.
• Successfully induced embolization in rat femoral arteries via intravascular delivery.

Conclusions:

• The developed SNF hydrogels represent a promising biodegradable liquid embolic agent with superior performance characteristics.
• These hydrogels offer a powerful new tool for interventional radiology in treating conditions such as aortic aneurysms, gynecological diseases, and liver cancer.