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Supercritical Fluid-Processed Multifunctional Hybrid Decellularized Extracellular Matrix with Chitosan Hydrogel for
Seol-Ha Jeong1,2, Jae Jun Kang3, Ki-Myo Kim1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 07061, Republic of Korea.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|March 20, 2025
Summary
A novel injectable hydrogel filler, combining carboxymethyl chitosan and decellularized extracellular matrix, promotes vascularized adipose tissue regeneration for tissue defects. This advanced material offers superior shape stability and durability, aiding reconstructive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Extensive subcutaneous tissue defects and dermis loss necessitate advanced reconstructive solutions.
- Vascularized adipose tissue regeneration is crucial for maintaining volume and functional recovery post-degradation of implanted materials.
- Existing fillers often lack the necessary biological cues and structural integrity for optimal tissue regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel double-crosslinked hydrogel filler for subcutaneous tissue regeneration.
- To assess the potential of a hybrid decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) incorporated into a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) hydrogel.
- To investigate the material's efficacy in promoting vascularized adipose tissue regeneration and its suitability for reconstructive medical applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a double-crosslinked hydrogel using PEG-crosslinked CMC and a hybrid dECM from porcine adipose and cardiac tissues.
- Processing of dECM using a supercritical fluid technique (scCO2-EtOH) to enhance cytokine retention.
- Evaluation of physical properties, injectability, in vitro degradation, and in vivo performance in a UVB-induced photoaging mouse model.
Main Results:
- The scCO2-EtOH processed dECM retained significantly higher levels of angiogenic and adipogenic cytokines compared to traditionally processed dECM.
- The hybrid dECM-based filler exhibited excellent injectability, superior shape stability, and durability, outperforming crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers.
- In vivo assessments demonstrated enhanced vascularized tissue regeneration, reduced inflammation, increased VEGF expression, and improved ECM maturation.
Conclusions:
- The developed double-crosslinked hydrogel incorporating hybrid dECM is a highly effective multifunctional material for injectable regenerative medicine.
- The material supports vascularized adipose tissue regeneration, offering a promising solution for extensive tissue defects and dermal matrix loss.
- Its favorable properties suggest significant potential for clinical translation and further investigation in reconstructive procedures.
