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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fabrication of tubular tissue constructs by centrifugal casting of cells suspended in an in situ crosslinkable hyaluronan-gelatin hydrogel.

Achieving the optimal cell density and desired cell distribution in scaffolds is a major goal of cell seeding technologies in tissue engineering. In order to reach this goal, a novel centrifugal casting technology was developed using in situ crosslinkable hyaluronan-based (HA) synthetic extracellular matrix (sECM). Living cells were suspended in a viscous solution of thiol-modified HA and thiol-modified gelatin, a polyethyleneglycol diacrylate crosslinker was added, and a hydrogel was formed during rotation. The tubular tissue constructs consisting of a densely packed cell layer were fabricated with the rotation device operating at 2000 rpm for 10 min. The majority of cells suspended in the HA mixture before rotation were located inside the layer after centrifugal casting. Cells survived the effect of the centrifugal forces experienced under the rotational regime employed. The volume cell density (65.6%) approached the maximal possible volume density based on theoretical sphere packing models. Thus, centrifugal casting allows the fabrication of tubular constructs with the desired redistribution, composition and thickness of cell layers that makes the maximum efficient use of available cells. Centrifugal casting in this sECM would enable rapid fabrication of tissue-engineered vascular grafts, as well as other tubular and planar tissue-engineered constructs.

Animals↗

Immobilized fibrinogen in PEG hydrogels does not improve chondrocyte-mediated matrix deposition in response to mechanical stimulation.

The present investigation aims to explore the role of cell-scaffold interactions and whole cell compression in chondrocyte mechanotransduction using encapsulating poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel scaffolds and primary bovine chondrocytes. Scaffolds made from PEG hydrogels with immobilized fibrinogen molecules were seeded with chondrocytes and subjected to 15% dynamic compressive strain at 1-Hz frequency. Dynamic strain stimulation resulted in a 37% increase in the levels of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) after 2 weeks of stimulation, when compared to static controls. Comparing results of the PEG-fibrinogen scaffolds with their respective PEG control group did not show significant differences between the two, even following 2 weeks of dynamic mechanical stimulation. Accordingly, these findings indicate that while cell deformations cause metabolic changes in chondrocytes seeded in PEG hydrogels, it is difficult to ascertain the role of matrix bioactivity in enhancing chondrocyte mechanotransduction in encapsulating scaffolds subjected to physical deformations. This study shows how interactions between mechanical stimulation and scaffold composition are evaluated using an experimental approach and customized biomaterial scaffolds.

Animals↗

Controlled release of plasmid DNA from photo-cross-linked pluronic hydrogels.

Chemically cross-linked hydrogels composed of Pluronic, water-soluble tri-block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide), were synthesized by a photo-polymerization method to achieve controlled DNA release. Pluronic F127 was di-acrylated to form a macromer and cross-linked to form a hydrogel structure in the presence and absence of vinyl group-modified hyaluronic acid (HA). UV irradiation time and the presence of the vinyl group-modified HA affected the mechanical property of Pluronic hydrogels to a great extent. Swelling ratio, degradation, and rheological behaviors of Pluronic hydrogels were investigated. When plasmid DNA was loaded in the hydrogels for sustained delivery, various release profiles were attained by varying UV irradiation time and modified HA amounts. Entrapped DNA was gradually damaged with increasing the UV exposure time as evidenced by decreasing the transfection efficiency. The DNA fractions released from the HA/Pluronic hydrogels, however, exhibited considerable transfection efficiencies commensurate with the UV exposure time, suggesting that they were not chemically degraded during the release period and substantially maintained functional gene expression activities despite the UV irradiation.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Rheological characterization of in situ cross-linkable hyaluronan hydrogels.

This report investigates the rheological properties of cross-linked, thiol-functionalized HA (HA-DTPH) hydrogels prepared by varying the concentration and molecular weight (MW) of the cross-linker, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). Hydrogels were subsequently cured for either short-term (hours) or long-term (days) and subjected to oscillatory shear rheometry (OSR). OSR allows the evaluation and comparison of the shear storage moduli (G'), an index of the total number of effective cross-links formed in the hydrogels. While the oscillatory time sweep monitored the evolution of G' during in situ gelation, the stress and frequency sweeps measured the G' of preformed and subsequently cured hydrogels. From stress sweeps, we found that, for the hydrogels, G' scaled linearly with PEGDA concentration and was independent of its MW. Upon comparison with the classical Flory's theory of elasticity, stress sweep tests on short-term cured hydrogels revealed the simultaneous, but gradual, formation of spontaneous disulfide cross-links in the hydrogels. Results from time and frequency sweeps suggested that the formation of a stable, three-dimensional network depended strictly on PEGDA concentration. Results from the equilibrium swelling of hydrogels concurred with those obtained from oscillatory stress sweeps. Such a detailed rheological characterization of our HA-DTPH-PEGDA hydrogels will aid in the design of biomaterials targeted for biomedical or pharmaceutical purposes, especially in applications involving functional tissue engineering.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

In situ crosslinking of a biomimetic peptide-PEG hydrogel via thermally triggered activation of factor XIII.

There is a medical need for robust, biocompatible hydrogels that can be rapidly crosslinked in situ through the use of gentle and non-toxic triggers, which could be used as a surgical adhesive, a bone-inductive material, or for drug and gene delivery. The complete gelation system described here includes calcium-loaded liposomes, hrFactor XIII. thrombin, and an enzymatic substrate based on a four-armed PEG in which each arm terminates with a 20mer peptide sequence derived from the gamma-chain of fibrin. Controlled release of calcium ions for efficient hrFXIII activation was accomplished by thermal triggering of a tailored liposome phase transition at 37 degrees C, which allowed the entire gelation system to be stored in aqueous solution at room temperature without premature gelation. When the system temperature was raised to 37 degrees C (body temperature), the released calcium activates the hrFactor XIII, and gelation was observed to occur within 9 min. Rheological studies performed to quantitatively determine the storage modulus (G') of the gel during oscillatory shear show that it behaves as a robust, elastic solid. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the hydrogel to have a very dense morphology overall, however spherical voids are observed in regions where calcium-loaded liposomes were entrapped during gelation.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Self-assembled supramolecular hydrogels formed by biodegradable PEO-PHB-PEO triblock copolymers and alpha-cyclodextrin for controlled drug delivery.

A materials design of a new supramolecular hydrogel self-assembled between alpha-cyclodextrin and a biodegradable poly(ethylene oxide)-poly[(r)-3-hydroxybutyrate]-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PHB-PEO) triblock copolymer was demonstrated. The cooperation effect of complexation of PEO segments with alpha-cyclodextrin and the hydrophobic interaction between PHB blocks resulted in the formation of the supramolecular hydrogel with a strong macromolecular network. The in vitro release kinetics studies of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled dextran (dextran-FITC) model drug from the hydrogel showed that the hydrogel was suitable for relatively long-term sustained controlled release of macromolecular drugs, which many simple triblock copolymer hydrogel systems could not achieve. The hydrogel was found to be thixotropic and reversible, and can be applied as a promising injectable drug delivery system.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Tethered protein/peptide-surface-modified hydrogels.

We investigated a wet chemistry method to covalently bond polyethylene glycol (PEG)-tethered extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (laminin and fibronectin) or peptide (fibronectin-adhesion-peptide sequence) onto the surface of a poly(2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate-co-methylacrylic acid) (PHEMA/MAA) hydrogel that could potentially be used as a replacement for corneal tissue in the eye. An essential requirement for the success of such a surface in the biological environment is its ability to support the growth and attachment of corneal epithelial cells; ECM proteins are known to promote cellular attachment and growth. We hypothesized that the use of tethers or long hydrophilic chains would allow the attached ECM protein/peptide molecules to move two-dimensionally in space, thereby increasing their ability to bind with epithelial cell membranes. Additionally, the tethers would prevent the specifically added growth-enhancing factors from being obscured by any non-specific protein binding occurring on the hydrogel surface. In this surface-modification study, carbodiimidazole (CDI) was used to activate the carboxylic groups (-COOH) on the hydrogel surface in anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) before addition of the PEGylated proteins/peptide. The resulting tethered protein/peptide surface-modified hydrogels were analyzed in terms of percent grafting efficiency, biological activity and mechanical properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and 125I radioactive labeling demonstrated the successful covalent bonding between the moieties and the hydrogel surface. Radiolabeling and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies indicated that the tethered proteins attached to the hydrogel surface at a concentration of approx. 0.1 microg/cm2. ELISA testing further showed that tethered proteins remained biologically active. However, mechanical tensile testing indicated that the mechanical properties of these chemically modified hydrogels were somewhat altered in comparison with the unmodified hydrogel. Future studies will evaluate the cellular response to these surface-modified materials in vitro and in vivo.

Biocompatible Materials↗

The effect of incorporating RGD adhesive peptide in polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogel on osteogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells.

Advances in tissue engineering require biofunctional scaffolds that can not only provide cells with structural support, but also interact with cells in a biological manner. To achieve this goal, a frequently used cell adhesion peptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) was covalently incorporated into poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEODA) hydrogel and its dosage effect (0.025, 1.25 and 2.5 mm) on osteogenesis of marrow stromal cells in a three-dimensional environment was examined. Expression of bone-related markers, osteocalcin (OCN) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), increased significantly as the RGD concentration increased. Compared with no RGD, 2.5 mm RGD group showed a 1344% increase in ALP production and a 277% increase in OCN accumulation in the medium. RGD helped MSCs maintain cbfa-1 expression when shifted from a two-dimensional environment to a three-dimensional environment. Soluble RGD was found to completely block the mineralization of marrow stromal cells, as manifested by quantitative calcium assay, phosphorus elemental analysis and Von Kossa staining. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that RGD-conjugated PEODA hydrogel promotes the osteogenesis of MSCs in a dosage-dependent manner, with 2.5 mm being optimal concentration.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Osteochondral repair in the rabbit model utilizing bilayered, degradable oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) hydrogel scaffolds.

In this study, hydrogel scaffolds, based on the polymer oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF), were implanted into osteochondral defects in the rabbit model. Scaffolds consisted of two layers-a bottom, bone forming layer and a top, cartilage forming layer. Three scaffold formulations were implanted to assess how material composition and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) loading affected osteochondral repair. Critical histological evaluation and scoring of the quantity and quality of tissue in the chondral and subchondral regions of defects was performed at 4 and 14 weeks. At both time points, no evidence of prolonged inflammation was observed, and healthy tissue was seen to infiltrate the defect area. The quality of this tissue improved over time with hyaline cartilage filling the chondral region and a mixture of trabecular and compact bone filling the subchondral region at 14 weeks. A promising degree of Safranin O staining and chondrocyte organization was observed in the newly formed surface tissue, while the underlying subchondral bone was completely integrated with the surrounding bone at 14 weeks. Material composition within the bottom, bone-forming layer did not appear to affect the rate of scaffold degradation or tissue filling. However, no bone upgrowth into the chondral region was observed with any scaffold formulation. TGF-beta1 loading in the top layer of scaffolds appeared to exert some therapeutic affect on tissue quality, but further studies are necessary for scaffold optimization. Yet, the excellent tissue filling and integration resulting from osteochondral implantation of these OPF-based scaffolds demonstrates their potential in cartilage repair strategies.

Absorbable Implants↗

Covalently immobilized gradients of bFGF on hydrogel scaffolds for directed cell migration.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was immobilized to hydrogel scaffolds with retention of mitogenic and chemotactic activity. The bFGF was functionalized in order to incorporate it covalently within polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel scaffolds by reaction with acryloyl-PEG-NHS. Hydrogels were formed by exposing aqueous solutions of PEG diacrylate, acryloyl-PEG-RGDS, and acryloyl-PEG-bFGF to long-wavelength ultraviolet light in the presence of a photoinitiator. These bFGF-modified hydrogels with RGD adhesion sites were evaluated for their effect on vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) behavior, increasing SMC proliferation by approximately 41% and migration by approximately 15%. A covalently immobilized bFGF gradient was formed using a gradient maker to pour the hydrogel precursor solutions and then photopolymerizing to lock in the concentration gradient. Silver staining was used to detect the bFGF gradient, which increased linearly along the hydrogel's length. Cells were observed to align on hydrogels modified with a bFGF gradient in the direction of increasing tethered bFGF concentration as early as 24 h after seeding. SMCs also migrated differentially, up the concentration gradient, on bFGF-gradient hydrogels compared to control hydrogels with and without a constant bFGF concentration. These hydrogel scaffolds may be useful for studying protein gradient effects on cell behavior and for directing cell migration in tissue-engineering applications.

Aorta↗

In vivo bone and soft tissue response to injectable, biodegradable oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) hydrogels.

This study was designed to assess in vivo bone and soft tissue behavior of novel oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogels using a rabbit model. In vitro degradation of the OPF hydrogels was also investigated in order to compare with in vivo characteristics. Four groups of OPF hydrogel implants were synthesized by alternation of crosslinking density, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block length of OPF, and cell-binding peptide content. The in vitro degradation rate of OPF hydrogels increased with decreasing crosslinking density of hydrogels, which was characterized by measuring weight loss and swelling ratio of hydrogels and medium pH change. Examination of histological sections of the subcutaneous and cranial implants showed that an uniform thin circumferential fibrous capsule was formed around the OPF hydrogel implants. Quantitative evaluation of the tissue response revealed that no statistical difference existed in capsule quality or thickness between implant groups, implantation sites or implantation times. At 4 weeks, there was a very limited number of inflammatory and multinuclear cells at the implant-fibrous capsule interface for all implants. However, at 12 weeks, OPF hydrogels with PEG block length of number average molecular weight 6090+/-90 showed extensive surface erosion and superficial fragmentation that was surrounded by a number of inflammatory cells, while OPF hydrogels with PEG block length of number average molecular weight 930+/-10 elicited minimal degradation. Constant fibrous capsule layers and number of inflammatory cells were observed regardless of the incorporation of cell-binding peptide and crosslinking density of OPF hydrogels with PEG block length of number average molecular weight 930+/-90. These results confirm that the degradation of implants can be controlled by tailoring the macromolecular structure of OPF hydrogels. Additionally, histological evaluation of implants proved that the OPF hydrogel is a promising material for biodegradable scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Animals↗

Cell viability of chitosan-containing semi-interpenetrated hydrogels based on PCL-PEG-PCL diacrylate macromer.

Chitosan-modified biodegradable hydrogels were prepared by UV irradiation of solutions in mild aqueous acidic media of poly(caprolactone)-co-poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(caprolactone) diacrylate (PCL-PEG-PCL-DA) and chitosan. Hydrogels obtained were characterized using FT-IR, DSC, TGA and XPS. FT-IR, TGA and DSC revealed the semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure formed in the hydrogel. Though the water swelling degree of these chitosan-modified hydrogels was substantial in the range of 322-539%, it was found that fibroblasts could still attach, spread and grow on them; this is in contrast to the commonly investigated PEG-diacrylate hydrogel. The MTT assay demonstrated that cells could grow better on 3 or 6% chitosan-modified hydrogel than unmodified PCL-PEG-PCL-DA hydrogels or low-content (1%) chitosan-modified PCL-PEG-PCL-DA hydrogel. Increased chitosan content resulted in increased cell interaction and also decreased water swelling, both of which results in increased cell attachment and spread.

Acrylates↗

Synthesis of protein-loaded hydrogel particles in an aqueous two-phase system for coincident antigen and CpG oligonucleotide delivery to antigen-presenting cells.

Materials that effectively deliver protein antigens together with activating ligands to antigen-presenting cells are sought for improved nonviral vaccines. To this end, we synthesized protein-loaded poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel particles by cross-linking PEG within the polymer-rich phase of an emulsion formed by a poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer in saturated aqueous salt solution. These particles (500-nm diameter) contained high levels of encapsulated protein (approximately 75% of dry mass), which was selectively released by proteolytic enzymes normally present in the phagosomal/endosomal compartments of dendritic cells (DCs). For co-delivery of cellular activation signals, gel particles were surface-modified by sequential adsorption of poly(l-arginine) and CpG oligonucleotides. DCs pulsed with protein-loaded particles activated naïve T cells in vitro approximately 10-fold more efficiently than DCs incubated with soluble protein. This organic solvent-free strategy for protein encapsulation within submicron-sized hydrophilic particles is attractive for macromolecule delivery to a variety of phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells.

Adsorption↗

Novel injectable pH and temperature sensitive block copolymer hydrogel.

A novel pH and temperature sensitive block copolymer was prepared by adding pH sensitive moiety to temperature sensitive block copolymer. This block copolymer solution showed a reversible sol-gel transition by a small pH change in the range of pH 7.4-8.0 and also by the temperature change in the region of body temperature. The very precise molecular weight control of block copolymer and the prudential tuning of hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance were needed to control the phase diagram. This block copolymer solution forms a gel at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4 (human body). When the block copolymer solution is at room temperature and pH 8.0 as a sol state, both the temperature and pH change are needed for the gelation. This material can be employed as injectable carriers for hydrophobic drugs and proteins, etc. Gelation inside the needle can be prevented by an increase in the temperature during injection, because it does not change into the gel form with only increasing temperature. This material can be used for even a long guide catheter into the body. The block copolymer hydrogel which shows the sol-gel transition by the small pH change from pH 8.0 to pH 7.4 has merits in the delivery system for protein and cells which show cytotoxicity in acidic (below pH 6.5) or basic (above pH 8.5) conditions. This block copolymer system could be used as a template technology for injectable delivery systems.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Injectable glycosaminoglycan hydrogels for controlled release of human basic fibroblast growth factor.

Synthetic hydrogel mimics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) were created by crosslinking a thiol-modified analog of heparin with thiol-modified hyaluronan (HA) or chondroitin sulfate (CS) with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). The covalently bound heparin provided a crosslinkable analog of a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, thus providing a multivalent biomaterial capable of controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Hydrogels contained >97% water and formed rapidly in <10min. With as little as 1% (w/w) covalently bound heparin (relative to total glycosaminoglycan content), the rate of release of bFGF in vitro was substantially reduced. Total bFGF released increased with lower percentages of heparin; essentially quantitative release of bFGF was observed from heparin-free hydrogels. Moreover, the hydrogel-released bFGF retained 55% of its biological activity for up to 28 days as determined by a cell proliferation assay. Finally, when these hydrogels were implanted into subcutaneous pockets in Balb/c mice, neovascularization increased dramatically with HA and CS hydrogels that contained both bFGF and crosslinked heparin. In contrast, hydrogels lacking bFGF or crosslinked heparin showed little increase in neovascularization. Thus, covalently linked, heparin-containing glycosaminoglycan hydrogels that can be injected and crosslinked in situ constitute highly promising new materials for controlled release of heparin-binding growth factors in vivo.

Animals↗

Adhesion behavior of peritoneal cells on the surface of self-assembled triblock copolymer hydrogels.

Adhesion behavior of cells to the surface of physical hydrogel membranes prepared by water-induced self-organization of precisely synthesized ABA-triblock copolymers comprised of poly(beta-benzyl L-aspartate) (PBLA) as A segment and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO, molecular weight = 20 000) as the B segment were investigated. The cast film from the methylenechloride solution of these copolymers swelled in water very rapidly forming hydrogels (100-400% water content of total weight). The content of PBLA affected the strength, the hydrophobicity, and the amount of water involved in the hydrogel surface. During the early stage of cultivation with murine peritoneal cells, cell adhesion on the hydrogels of PEO and PBLA with 18 (20K18) and 25 (20K25) monomeric units was not observed, while adhesion on the hydrogels of PEO and PBLA with 32 (20K32) and 55 (20K55) monomeric units was successful, suggesting more than 12 mol % in PBLA content is necessary for adhesion of these cells. Although cell spreading on the hydrogels of 20K18, 20K25, and 20K32 was not sufficient, the hydrogel of 20K55 allowed cell adhesion and spreading to be bipolar with leading edge whose raffling is active with pseudopodium and lamellipodium as well as PBLA homopolymer, suggesting active motility of these cells. Remarkably, prolonged incubation restored adhesiveness onto the films at 20K18 in contrast to adhesion with 20K25 despite low hydrophobicity. It is conceivable that adaptation of proteins and chemical changes to the surface during the culture period may participate in these phenomena. Mechanical properties and interaction between cell and these copolymer hydrogels could be controlled by composition of block segments, and optimization for implants could also be attainable.

Adhesiveness↗

Morphological and topographic effects on calcification tendency of pHEMA hydrogels.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels were prepared in the presence of varying concentrations of water, or a co-monomer ethoxyethyl methacrylate at different strengths of crosslinking agent ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Calcification tendency and its correlation with monomer mixture composition, topography and porosity of these materials were investigated. Scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study topography and porosity respectively. Calcification and calcium diffusion ability in to the hydrogels were investigated by light microscopy, SEM and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) after incubation of the materials in a metastable calcifying solution for 48 days. Polymer and solvent volume fractions were also studied to determine if a correlation existed between porosity and calcification. Most of the series of hydrogels showed surface irregularities. Internal structure showed evidence of a porous structure in one of the series. Calcification studies indicated diffusion of calcium ions in some of the series. The diffusion of calcium is limited to 30-40 microm in most calcified specimens. For hydrogels that exhibited substantial surface irregularities and micro channels, the infiltration of calcium up to 200 microm was observed. Attempts to detect porosity by electron microscopy failed in some of the hydrogels due to difficulty in sample processing and sectioning. However, collaboration of the results with different techniques used, indicated that surface defects are the major contributors to calcium deposition. Decrease in porosity reduces the amount of calcium deposits and infiltration with decreasing solvent volume fraction which is associated with crosslinking concentration and initial water content of the polymer.

Biocompatible Materials↗