Polydeoxynucleotide-Loaded Visible Light Photo-Crosslinked Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel: Approach to Accelerating...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Articular cartilage has limited self-repair capacity due to avascularity and low chondrocyte density.
• Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) promotes chondrocyte growth but requires effective delivery methods for cartilage regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustained Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) delivery system using gelatin methacrylate (gelMA) hydrogels for cartilage regeneration.
• To evaluate the efficacy of PDRN-loaded gelMA hydrogels in a rabbit cartilage defect model.

Main Methods:

• GelMA hydrogels were synthesized and crosslinked using visible light and riboflavin 5'-phosphate sodium (RF).
• PDRN release kinetics, hydrogel properties (swelling, degradation, mechanical), biocompatibility, and gene expression (COL2, SOX9, AGG) were assessed.
• Histological analysis was performed on a rabbit cartilage defect model to evaluate regenerative effects.

Main Results:

• GelMA hydrogel synthesis was confirmed, and PDRN loading resulted in sustained release.
• Optimized gelMA-PDRN hydrogels (14% concentration) showed favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and enhanced glycosaminoglycan (GAG) activity.
• In vivo studies demonstrated superior cartilage regeneration with gelMA-PDRN hydrogels compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• GelMA-based hydrogels provide a promising platform for sustained PDRN delivery in cartilage tissue engineering.
• This approach significantly enhances cartilage regeneration and holds potential for clinical applications.