Human Extracellular Matrix-Like Collagen-Based Hydrogels for Soft Tissue Regeneration and Mandibular Retrognathia...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Tissue defects from aging, trauma, or disease cause functional loss.
• Current regenerative strategies are limited by material bioactivity and mechanical properties.
• Developing biomaterials that mimic native tissue is crucial for effective regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a bioactive hydrogel for soft tissue regeneration.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of biochemical and mechanical cues on tissue repair.
• To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the developed hydrogel for treating tissue defects.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hydrogel integrating human collagen (hCol) from adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), hyaluronic acid (HA), and PEGDA.
• Engineering the hydrogel to a modulus mimicking subcutaneous soft tissue (≈1 kPa).
• In vivo animal studies and human clinical trials for mandibular retrognathia repair.

Main Results:

• The hCol-HA-PEGDA hydrogel demonstrated significant modulation of immune responses, cellular differentiation, and anti-aging processes.
• Animal experiments and clinical trials confirmed the hydrogel's regenerative efficacy.
• Clinical therapy for mandibular retrognathia showed rapid and sustained improvement, with 95.2% repair efficacy at 3 months and 76.2% at 6 months.

Conclusions:

• The engineered hydrogel effectively reshapes the soft tissue microenvironment, promoting immediate repair and sustained regeneration.
• This biomaterial offers a promising platform for advanced soft tissue engineering applications.
• The study highlights the importance of integrating biochemical and mechanical properties in biomaterials for enhanced regenerative outcomes.