Hyaluronic acid hydrogels for biomedical applications

A quality by design approach to optimise disulfide-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogels

In this study, the disulfide-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels were optimised for potential application as a scaffold in tissue engineering through the Quality by Design (QbD) approach. For this purpose, HA was first modified by incorporating the cysteine moiety into the HA backbone, which promoted the formation of disulfide cross-linked HA hydrogel at physiological pH. Utilising a Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology, the critical factors to achieve stable biomaterials, i.e. the degree of HA substitution, HA molecular weight, and coupling agent ratio, were explored. To establish a design space, the DoE was performed with 65 kDa, 138 kDa and 200 kDa HA and variable concentrations of coupling agent to optimise conditions to obtain HA hydrogel with improved rheological properties. Thus, HA hydrogel with a 12 % degree of modification, storage modulus of ≈2321 Pa and loss modulus of ≈15 Pa, was achieved with the optimum ratio of coupling agent. Furthermore, biocompatibility assessments in C28/I2 chondrocyte cells demonstrated the non-toxic nature of the hydrogel, underscoring its potential for tissue regeneration. Our findings highlight the efficacy of the QbD approach in designing HA hydrogels with tailored properties for biomedical applications.

Stretchable hydrogels of chitosan/hyaluronic acid induced by polyelectrolyte complexation around neutral pH

In this work, we propose the formation of stretchable hydrogels at neutral pH from the physical crosslinking of chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) by polyelectrolyte complexation. A mixture of CS (Mw ≈ 600 kg/mol, degree of acetylation ≈ 50 %) solution and HA (Mw ≈ 77 kg/mol) solution was prepared with an excess of salts screening the electrostatic interactions CS/HA. In a controlled manner, the polyelectrolyte complexation was induced through the progressive dialysis of the salted polymer mixture against a sodium acetate solution (AcONa, 0.01 M) for 7 days. Depending on [HA], various materials were obtained: viscous solutions at [HA] = 0.75 % (w/v); hydrogels at [HA] = 1.50-2.24 % (w/v) with Young modulus of 14 kPa and stretchable to 200 %. The small angle X-ray scattering characterization of the hydrogels revealed a multiscale organization related to the conformation of the polymers induced by the physical interactions. The dialysis process with AcONa was optimized by adding a dialysis step against a zinc acetate solution containing Zn2+. The combination of polyelectrolyte complexation between CS/HA and metal complexation between Zn2+ and the polymers led to an enhancement of the hydrogel stretchability up to 400 %.

Sustained neurotrophin-3 delivery from hyaluronic acid hydrogels for neural tissue regeneration

The goal of this work was to design a polymer-based platform capable of localized, long-term delivery of biologically active neurotropic factors using an affinity-based approach. Here, we synthesized hyaluronic acid-methylfuran (HA-mF) hydrogels that provide sustained, affinity-based release of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), a growth factor that promotes axon growth for 28 days. A Diels-Alder crosslinking reaction between HA-mF and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-dimaleimide occurs within 15 min under physiological conditions, resulting in hydrogels that can be polymerized in the presence of cells and growth factors. We also tuned the hydrogel's storage modulus to match that of native rat spinal cord tissue, providing a platform not only for localized drug delivery but also a suitable vehicle for cellular transplantation. The NT-3 released from the HAmF hydrogels remains bioactive for at least 14 days, promoting axonal growth from primary sensory neurons as well as stem cell-derived V2a interneurons and motoneurons in vitro. The hydrogels also supported cell growth allowing for 3-dimensional axonal extensions within the scaffold matrix. Here we confirm the protective role of HA-mF on matrix-bound NT-3 activity and show that these hydrogels are an excellent platform for growth factor delivery for neural applications.

Use of a pH-responsive imatinib mesylate sustained-release hydrogel for the treatment of tendon adhesion by inhibiting PDGFRβ/CLDN1 pathway

Adhesion after tendon injury, which can result in limb movement disorders, is a common clinical complication; however, effective treatment methods are lacking. Hyaluronic acid hydrogels are a new biomedical material used to prevent tendon adhesion owing to their good biocompatibility. In addition, potential drugs that inhibit adhesion formation have gradually been discovered. The anti-adhesion effects of a combination of loaded drugs into hydrogels have become an emerging trend. However, current drug delivery systems usually lack specific regulation of drug release, and the effectiveness of drugs for treating tendon adhesions is mostly flawed. In this study, we identified a new drug, imatinib mesylate (IM), that prevents tendon adhesion and explored its related molecular pathways. In addition, we designed a pH-responsive sustained-release hydrogel for delivery. Using the metal-organic framework ZIF-8 as a drug carrier, we achieved controlled drug release to increase the effective drug dose at the peak of adhesion formation to achieve better therapeutic effects. The results showed that IM blocked the formation of peritendon adhesions by inhibiting the PDGFRβ/ERK/STAT3/CLDN1 pathway. Furthermore, the hydrogel with ZIF-8 exhibited better physical properties and drug release curves than the hydrogel loaded only with drugs, showing better prevention and treatment effects on tendon adhesion.

Strategies to decouple cell micro-scale and macro-scale environments for designing multifunctional biomimetic tissues

The regulation of cellular behavior within a three-dimensional (3D) environment to execute a specific function remains a challenge in the field of tissue engineering. In native tissues, cells and matrices are arranged into 3D modular units, comprising biochemical and biophysical signals that orchestrate specific cellular activities. Modular tissue engineering aims to emulate this natural complexity through the utilization of functional building blocks with unique stimulation features. By adopting a modular approach and using well-designed biomaterials, cellular microenvironments can be effectively decoupled from their macro-scale surroundings, enabling the development of engineered tissues with enhanced multifunctionality and heterogeneity. We overview recent advancements in decoupling the cellular micro-scale niches from their macroenvironment and evaluate the implications of this strategy on cellular and tissue functionality.

Design considerations and biomaterials selection in embedded extrusion 3D bioprinting

In embedded extrusion 3D bioprinting, a temporary matrix preserves a paste-like filament ejecting from a narrow nozzle. For granular sacrificial matrices, the methodology is known as the freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH). Embedded extrusion 3D bioprinting methods result in more rapid and controlled manufacturing of cell-laden tissue constructs, particularly vascular and multi-component structures. This report focuses on the working principles and bioink design criteria for implementing conventional embedded extrusion and FRESH 3D bioprinting strategies. We also present a set of experimental data as a guideline for selecting the support bath or matrix. We discuss the advantages of embedded extrusion methods over conventional biomanufacturing methods. This work provides a short recipe for selecting inks and printing parameters for desired shapes in embedded extrusion and FRESH 3D bioprinting methods.

Hydrogels: a promising therapeutic platform for inflammatory skin diseases treatment

Inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, pose significant health challenges due to their long-lasting nature, potential for serious complications, and significant health risks, which requires treatments that are both effective and exhibit minimal side effects. Hydrogels offer an innovative solution due to their biocompatibility, tunability, controlled drug delivery capabilities, enhanced treatment adherence and minimized side effects risk. This review explores the mechanisms that guide the design of hydrogel therapeutic platforms from multiple perspectives, focusing on the components of hydrogels, their adjustable physical and chemical properties, and their interactions with cells and drugs to underscore their clinical potential. We also examine various therapeutic agents for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis that can be integrated into hydrogels, including traditional drugs, novel compounds targeting oxidative stress, small molecule drugs, biologics, and emerging therapies, offering insights into their mechanisms and advantages. Additionally, we review clinical trial data to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hydrogel-based treatments in managing psoriasis and atopic dermatitis under complex disease conditions. Lastly, we discuss the current challenges and future opportunities for hydrogel therapeutics in treating psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, such as improving skin barrier penetration and developing multifunctional hydrogels, and highlight emerging opportunities to enhance long-term safety and stability.

Conformal encapsulation of mammalian stem cells using modified hyaluronic acid

Micro- and nanoencapsulation of cells has been studied as a strategy to protect cells from environmental stress and promote survival during delivery. Hydrogels used in encapsulation can be modified to influence cell behaviors and direct assembly in their surroundings. Here, we report a system that conformally encapsulated stem cells using hyaluronic acid (HA). We successfully modified HA with lipid, thiol, and maleimide pendant groups to facilitate a hydrogel system in which HA was deposited onto cell plasma membranes and subsequently crosslinked through thiol-maleimide click chemistry. We demonstrated conformal encapsulation of both neural stem cells (NSCs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), with viability of both cell types greater than 90% after encapsulation. Additional material could be added to the conformal hydrogel through alternating addition of thiol-modified and maleimide-modified HA in a layering process. After encapsulation, we tracked egress and viability of the cells over days and observed differential responses of cell types to conformal hydrogels both according to cell type and the amount of material deposited on the cell surfaces. Through the design of the conformal hydrogels, we showed that multicellular assembly could be created in suspension and that encapsulated cells could be immobilized on surfaces. In conjunction with photolithography, conformal hydrogels enabled rapid assembly of encapsulated cells on hydrogel substrates with resolution at the scale of 100 μm.

3D-printed microrobots for biomedical applications

Microrobots, which can perform tasks in difficult-to-reach parts of the human body under their own or external power supply, are potential tools for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, microsurgery, imaging and monitoring, tissue engineering, and sensors and actuators. Compared with traditional fabrication methods for microrobots, recent improvements in 3D printers enable them to print high-precision microrobots, breaking through the limitations of traditional micromanufacturing technologies that require high skills for operators and greatly shortening the design-to-production cycle. Here, this review first introduces typical 3D printing technologies used in microrobot manufacturing. Then, the structures of microrobots with different functions and application scenarios are discussed. Next, we summarize the materials (body materials, propulsion materials and intelligent materials) used in 3D microrobot manufacturing to complete body construction and realize biomedical applications (e.g., drug delivery, imaging and monitoring). Finally, the challenges and future prospects of 3D printed microrobots in biomedical applications are discussed in terms of materials, manufacturing and advancement.

Extracellular matrix-inspired biomaterials for wound healing

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a debilitating and life-threatening complication of Diabetes Mellitus. Ulceration develops from a combination of associated diabetic complications, including neuropathy, circulatory dysfunction, and repetitive trauma, and they affect approximately 19-34% of patients as a result. The severity and chronic nature of diabetic foot ulcers stems from the disruption to normal wound healing, as a result of the molecular mechanisms which underly diabetic pathophysiology. The current standard-of-care is clinically insufficient to promote healing for many DFU patients, resulting in a high frequency of recurrence and limb amputations. Biomaterial dressings, and in particular those derived from the extracellular matrix (ECM), have emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of DFU. By providing a template for cell infiltration and skin regeneration, ECM-derived biomaterials offer great hope as a treatment for DFU. A range of approaches exist for the development of ECM-derived biomaterials, including the use of purified ECM components, decellularisation and processing of donor/ animal tissues, or the use of in vitro-deposited ECM. This review discusses the development and assessment of ECM-derived biomaterials for the treatment of chronic wounds, as well as the mechanisms of action through which ECM-derived biomaterials stimulate wound healing.

Recent Advances in Hydrogel-Based 3D Bioprinting and Its Potential Application in the Treatment of Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, requiring invasive surgery often before a child's first birthday. Current materials used during CHD surgery lack the ability to grow, remodel, and regenerate. To solve those limitations, 3D bioprinting is an emerging tool with the capability to create tailored constructs based on patients' own imaging data with the ability to grow and remodel once implanted in children with CHD. It has the potential to integrate multiple bioinks with several cell types and biomolecules within 3D-bioprinted constructs that exhibit good structural fidelity, stability, and mechanical integrity. This review gives an overview of CHD and recent advancements in 3D bioprinting technologies with potential use in the treatment of CHD. Moreover, the selection of appropriate biomaterials based on their chemical, physical, and biological properties that are further manipulated to suit their application are also discussed. An introduction to bioink formulations composed of various biomaterials with emphasis on multiple cell types and biomolecules is briefly overviewed. Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis of prefabricated 3D-bioprinted structures and novel 4D printing technology are also summarized. Finally, we discuss several restrictions and our perspective on future directions in 3D bioprinting technologies in the treatment of CHD.

The application of hydrogels for enamel remineralization

Enamel is composed of numerous uniformly wide, well-oriented hydroxyapatite crystals. It possesses an acellular structure that cannot be repaired after undergoing damage. Therefore, remineralization after enamel defects has become a focal point of research. Hydrogels, which are materials with three-dimensional structures derived from cross-linking polymers, have garnered significant attention in recent studies. Their exceptional properties make them valuable in the application of enamel remineralization. In this review, we summarize the structure and formation of enamel, present the design considerations of hydrogels for enamel remineralization, explore diverse hydrogels types in this context, and finally, shed light on the potential future applications in this field.

Voxelated bioprinting of modular double-network bio-ink droplets

Analogous of pixels to two-dimensional pictures, voxels-in the form of either small cubes or spheres-are the basic building blocks of three-dimensional objects. However, precise manipulation of viscoelastic bio-ink voxels in three-dimensional space represents a grand challenge in both soft matter science and biomanufacturing. Here, we present a voxelated bioprinting technology that enables the digital assembly of interpenetrating double-network hydrogel droplets made of polyacrylamide/alginate-based or hyaluronic acid/alginate-based polymers. The hydrogels are crosslinked via additive-free and biofriendly click reaction between a pair of stoichiometrically matched polymers carrying norbornene and tetrazine groups, respectively. We develop theoretical frameworks to describe the crosslinking kinetics and stiffness of the hydrogels, and construct a diagram-of-state to delineate their mechanical properties. Multi-channel print nozzles are developed to allow on-demand mixing of highly viscoelastic bio-inks without significantly impairing cell viability. Further, we showcase the distinctive capability of voxelated bioprinting by creating highly complex three-dimensional structures such as a hollow sphere composed of interconnected yet distinguishable hydrogel particles. Finally, we validate the cytocompatibility and in vivo stability of the printed double-network scaffolds through cell encapsulation and animal transplantation.

Dual fluorescence response of calix[4]arene-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives towards Hg(II) /Cr(VI) and their antimicrobial studies of transparent biofilms with hyaluronic acid

In this study, 4-sulfo-1,8-naphthalimide calixarene of derivatives were prepared (3 and 4) then transparent biofilms of the Ag salts of these compounds were formed in the presence of hyaluronic acid (HA), and antimicrobial properties were investigated. In chemosensor studies, the sensing ability behavior of 3 and 4 towards some cations and anions was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. It was observed that the prepared chemosensors show selectivity towards Hg(II) and Cr(VI). Ligand-ion interaction occurs according to the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. The stoichiometric ratio was calculated by using Stern-Volmer plot method and binding constant Ksv values were found as 5.2 × 107 M-1 and 5.5 × 107 M-1 for 3-Hg(II) and 4-Hg(II) complexes, respectively and 4.0 × 107 M-1 and 4.3 × 107 M-1 for 3-Cr(VI) and 4-Cr(VI) complexes. The detection limits of the complexes of 3-Hg(II) and 4-Hg(II) are 6.35 × 10-12and 6.81 × 10-12, while those of 3-Cr(VI) and 4-Cr(VI) are 1.41 × 10- 11and 8.37 × 10-12, respectively. As a result of the antimicrobial test performed with these compounds, it was observed that the most effective material was HA-3Ag, which showed a significant antibacterial effect against Sarcina lutea (S. lutea) at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.097 mg/mL.

Development of an Injectable Biphasic Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogel With Stress Relaxation Properties for Cartilage Regeneration

Biomimetic stress-relaxing hydrogels with reversible crosslinks attract significant attention for stem cell tissue regeneration compared with elastic hydrogels. However, stress-relaxing hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels fabricated using conventional technologies lack stability, biocompatibility, and mechanical tunability. Here, it is aimed to address these challenges by incorporating calcium or phosphate components into the HA backbone, which allows reversible crosslinking of HA with alginate to form interpenetrating networks, offering stability and mechanical tunability for mimicking cartilage. Diverse stress-relaxing hydrogels (τ1/2; SR50, 60-2000 s) are successfully prepared at ≈3 kPa stiffness with self-healing and shear-thinning abilities, favoring hydrogel injection. In vitro cell experiments with RNA sequencing analysis demonstrate that hydrogels tune chondrogenesis in a biphasic manner (hyaline or calcified) depending on the stress-relaxation properties and phosphate components. In vivo studies confirm the potential for biphasic chondrogenesis. These results indicate that the proposed stress-relaxing HA-based hydrogel with biphasic chondrogenesis (hyaline or calcified) is a promising material for cartilage regeneration.

Effect of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Combined With Hyaluronic Acid on Bone Formation in Dental Implant Sockets: An In Vivo Study in Sheep

OBJECTIVES

The goal was to evaluate the effect of the combined growth factor of hyaluronic acid (HA) and advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) on acceleration and maturation of bone formation around titanium dental implants in the bone-free space (jumping distance) of an over-preparation socket.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Thirty-two titanium dental implants were placed in four sheep and distributed into one control group (A) and three experimental groups (B, C, and D) in two different time periods. Each sheep received eight implants. The eight implants in each sheep were distributed into four groups. The first period was one month after the initial placement, 16 implants were used in two sheep. The second period was three months after the initial placement; another 16 implants were used in the other two sheep. All implants were placed in over-prepared implant sockets, resulting in minimal primary stability. In Group A: the space between the dental implant and the bone of the inner wall of the socket was left without a growth substrate material. In Group B: we added HA between the dental implant and the bone of the inner wall of the socket. In Group C: we added A-PRF between the dental implant and the bone of the inner wall of the socket. In Group D: we added a combination of HA and A-PRF between the dental implant and the bone of the inner wall of the socket. Data was collected for each group at one month and three months at the same time. A high-resolution, desktop micro-CT system (Bruker Skyscan 1275, Kontich, Belgium) was used to scan the specimens. The NRecon software (ver. 1.6.10.4, SkyScan) and CTAn (SkyScan) were used for the visualization and quantitative measurement of the samples. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of the four study groups in the same period. A post hoc test was used after ANOVA to compare the means of two samples at the same time. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

After one month and three months of using combined HA and A-PRF on Group D, significant acceleration was observed in bone formation in all tests around dental implants compared with other groups, while no significant acceleration was observed when they were used separately; all three study groups showed significant results when compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Our data showed that using a combination of HA and A-PRF had a significant effect on the acceleration of the bone formation and ossification process when added to bone-free space (jumping distance) around implants while leaving space without any growth substrates might delay the bone ossification process.

Harnessing the potential of hydrogels for advanced therapeutic applications: current achievements and future directions

The applications of hydrogels have expanded significantly due to their versatile, highly tunable properties and breakthroughs in biomaterial technologies. In this review, we cover the major achievements and the potential of hydrogels in therapeutic applications, focusing primarily on two areas: emerging cell-based therapies and promising non-cell therapeutic modalities. Within the context of cell therapy, we discuss the capacity of hydrogels to overcome the existing translational challenges faced by mainstream cell therapy paradigms, provide a detailed discussion on the advantages and principal design considerations of hydrogels for boosting the efficacy of cell therapy, as well as list specific examples of their applications in different disease scenarios. We then explore the potential of hydrogels in drug delivery, physical intervention therapies, and other non-cell therapeutic areas (e.g., bioadhesives, artificial tissues, and biosensors), emphasizing their utility beyond mere delivery vehicles. Additionally, we complement our discussion on the latest progress and challenges in the clinical application of hydrogels and outline future research directions, particularly in terms of integration with advanced biomanufacturing technologies. This review aims to present a comprehensive view and critical insights into the design and selection of hydrogels for both cell therapy and non-cell therapies, tailored to meet the therapeutic requirements of diverse diseases and situations.

A Hemoglobin Bionics-Based System for Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Chronic Diabetic Wounds via Iron Homeostasis Regulation

Owing to the increased tissue iron accumulation in patients with diabetes, microorganisms may activate high expression of iron-involved metabolic pathways, leading to the exacerbation of bacterial infections and disruption of systemic glucose metabolism. Therefore, an on-demand transdermal dosing approach that utilizes iron homeostasis regulation to combat antimicrobial resistance is a promising strategy to address the challenges associated with low administration bioavailability and high antibiotic resistance in treating infected diabetic wounds. Here, it is aimed to propose an effective therapy based on hemoglobin bionics to induce disturbances in bacterial iron homeostasis. The preferred "iron cargo" is synthesized by protoporphyrin IX chelated with dopamine and gallium (PDGa), and is delivered via a glucose/pH-responsive microneedle bandage (PDGa@GMB). The PDGa@GMB downregulates the expression levels of the iron uptake regulator (Fur) and the peroxide response regulator (perR) in Staphylococcus aureus, leading to iron nutrient starvation and oxidative stress, ultimately suppressing iron-dependent bacterial activities. Consequently, PDGa@GMB demonstrates insusceptibility to genetic resistance while maintaining sustainable antimicrobial effects (>90%) against resistant strains of both S. aureus and E. coli, and accelerates tissue recovery (<20 d). Overall, PDGa@GMB not only counteracts antibiotic resistance but also holds tremendous potential in mediating microbial-host crosstalk, synergistically attenuating pathogen virulence and pathogenicity.

Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles with Parameters Required for In Vivo Applications: From Synthesis to Parametrization

Hyaluronic acid is an excellent biocompatible material for in vivo applications. Its ability to bind CD44, a cell receptor involved in numerous biological processes, predetermines HA-based nanomaterials as unique carrier for therapeutic and theranostic applications. Although numerous methods for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (HANPs) are available today, their low reproducibility and wide size distribution hinder the precise assessment of the effect on the organism. A robust and reproducible approach for producing HANPs that meet strict criteria for in vivo applications (e.g., to lung parenchyma) remains challenging. We designed and evaluated four protocols for the preparation of HANPs with those required parameters. The HA molecule was cross-linked by novel combinations of carbodiimide, and four different amine-containing compounds resulted in monodisperse HANPs with a low polydispersity index. By a complex postsynthetic characterization, we confirmed that the prepared HANPs meet the criteria for inhaled therapeutic delivery and other in vivo applications.

Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Silica Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Nitric Oxide to Cancer Cells

Drug resistance and off-target toxicity are two of the greatest challenges to chemotherapeutic melanoma treatments. Nitric oxide (NO) represents an attractive alternative to conventional therapeutics due to its numerous anticancer properties and low probability of engendering resistance. As NO is highly reactive, macromolecular NO donors are needed for the controlled and targeted delivery of NO for therapeutic applications. Herein, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) were developed as a NO delivery system to facilitate controlled delivery to cancer cells through both passive and active targeting via the enhanced permeation and retention effect and directed binding of HA with CD44 receptors, respectively. The aminosilane modification, HA concentration, and HA molecular weight were systematically evaluated to facilitate the MSN coating and NO loading. The hydrodynamic diameter and dispersity of the nanoparticles increased after HA coating due to the hydrophilic nature of HA, with greater increases observed at higher HA molecular weight. Lower starting concentrations of HA and aminosilanes with longer alkyl chains favored more efficient HA coating. Faster NO-release kinetics and lower NO payloads were observed for the HA-coated MSNs relative to uncoated MSNs. However, the localized delivery of NO to cancer cells through the active targeting conferred by HA increased levels of oxidative stress and induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells. Cytotoxicity was also evaluated against human dermal fibroblasts, with the use of 6 kDa HA-coated MSNs resulting in the greatest therapeutic indices. Enhanced internalization of HA-coated nanoparticles into melanoma cells versus uncoated nanoparticles was visualized with confocal microscopy and quantified by fluorescence spectroscopy. In total, HA-coated MSNs represent a promising NO delivery system for potential use as a chemotherapeutic for skin melanomas.

Material-specific binding peptides empower sustainable innovations in plant health, biocatalysis, medicine and microplastic quantification

Material-binding peptides (MBPs) have emerged as a diverse and innovation-enabling class of peptides in applications such as plant-/human health, immobilization of catalysts, bioactive coatings, accelerated polymer degradation and analytics for micro-/nanoplastics quantification. Progress has been fuelled by recent advancements in protein engineering methodologies and advances in computational and analytical methodologies, which allow the design of, for instance, material-specific MBPs with fine-tuned binding strength for numerous demands in material science applications. A genetic or chemical conjugation of second (biological, chemical or physical property-changing) functionality to MBPs empowers the design of advanced (hybrid) materials, bioactive coatings and analytical tools. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview comprising naturally occurring MBPs and their function in nature, binding properties of short man-made MBPs (<20 amino acids) mainly obtained from phage-display libraries, and medium-sized binding peptides (20-100 amino acids) that have been reported to bind to metals, polymers or other industrially produced materials. The goal of this review is to provide an in-depth understanding of molecular interactions between materials and material-specific binding peptides, and thereby empower the use of MBPs in material science applications. Protein engineering methodologies and selected examples to tailor MBPs toward applications in agriculture with a focus on plant health, biocatalysis, medicine and environmental monitoring serve as examples of the transformative power of MBPs for various industrial applications. An emphasis will be given to MBPs' role in detecting and quantifying microplastics in high throughput, distinguishing microplastics from other environmental particles, and thereby assisting to close an analytical gap in food safety and monitoring of environmental plastic pollution. In essence, this review aims to provide an overview among researchers from diverse disciplines in respect to material-(specific) binding of MBPs, protein engineering methodologies to tailor their properties to application demands, re-engineering for material science applications using MBPs, and thereby inspire researchers to employ MBPs in their research.

A Superparamagnetic Composite Hydrogel Scaffold as In Vivo Dynamic Monitorable Theranostic Platform for Osteoarthritis Regeneration

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disease, characterized by subchondral fractures in its initial stages, which has no precise and specific treatment now. Here, a novel multifunctional scaffold is synthesized by photopolymerizing glycidyl methacrylate-modified hyaluronic acid (GMHA) as the matrix in the presence of hollow porous magnetic microspheres based on hydroxyapatite. In vivo subchondral bone repairing results demonstrate that the scaffold's meticulous design has most suitable properties for subchondral bone repair. The porous structure of inorganic particles within the scaffold facilitates efficient transport of loaded exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The Fe3O4 nanoparticles assembled in microspheres promote the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and accelerate the new bone generation. These features enable the scaffold to exhibit favorable subchondral bone repair properties and attain high cartilage repair scores. The therapy results prove that the subchondral bone support considerably influences the upper cartilage repair process. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging monitoring demonstrates that Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which are gradually replaced by new bone during osteochondral defect repair, allow a noninvasive and radiation-free assessment to track the newborn bone during the OA repair process. The composite hydrogel scaffold (CHS) provides a versatile platform for biomedical applications in OA treatment.

Tunable and fast-cured hyaluronic acid hydrogel inspired on catechol architecture for enhanced adhesion property

Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels have been broadly used in medical applications due to their remarkable properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, super hydroscopicity, non-immunogenic effect, etc. However, the inherent weak and hydrophilic polysaccharide structure of pure hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels has limited their potential use in muco-adhesiveness, wound dressing, and 3D printing. In this research, we developed in-situ forming of catechol-modified HA hydrogels with improved mechanical properties involving blue-light curing crosslinking reaction. The effect of catechol structure on the physicochemical properties of HA hydrogels was evaluated by varying the content (0-40 %). The as-synthesized hydrogel demonstrated rapid prototyping, excellent wetting adhesiveness, and good biocompatibility. Furthermore, an optimized hydrogel precursor solution was used as a blue light-cured bio-ink with high efficiency and good precision and successfully prototyped a microstructure that mimicked the human hepatic lobule by using DLP 3D printing method. This catechol-modified HA hydrogel with tunable physicochemical and rapid prototyping properties has excellent potential in biomedical engineering.

Recent trends in 3D bioprinting technology for skeletal muscle regeneration

Skeletal muscle is a pro-regenerative tissue, that utilizes a tissue-resident stem cell system to effect repair upon injury. Despite the demonstrated efficiency of this system in restoring muscle mass after many acute injuries, in conditions of severe trauma such as those evident in volumetric muscle loss (VML) (>20 % by mass), this self-repair capability is unable to restore tissue architecture, requiring interventions which currently are largely surgical. As a possible alternative, the generation of artificial muscle using tissue engineering approaches may also be of importance in the treatment of VML and muscle diseases such as dystrophies. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has been identified as a promising technique for regeneration of the complex architecture of skeletal muscle. This review discusses existing treatment strategies following muscle damage, recent progress in bioprinting techniques, the bioinks used for muscle regeneration, the immunogenicity of scaffold materials, and in vitro and in vivo maturation techniques for 3D bio-printed muscle constructs. The pros and cons of these bioink formulations are also highlighted. Finally, we present the current limitations and challenges in the field and critical factors to consider for bioprinting approaches to become more translationa and to produce clinically relevant engineered muscle. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This review discusses the physiopathology of muscle injuries and existing clinical treatment strategies for muscle damage, the types of bioprinting techniques that have been applied to bioprinting of muscle, and the bioinks commonly used for muscle regeneration. The pros and cons of these bioinks are highlighted. We present a discussion of existing gaps in the literature and critical factors to consider for the translation of bioprinting approaches and to produce clinically relevant engineered muscle. Finally, we provide insights into what we believe will be the next steps required before the realization of the application of tissue-engineered muscle in humans. We believe this manuscript is an insightful, timely, and instructive review that will guide future muscle bioprinting research from a fundamental construct creation approach, down a translational pathway to achieve the desired impact in the clinic.

Alloy nanozyme-reinforced hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel with wound environment-responsive properties for synergistically accelerating infectious wound healing

The recovery of infectious wound tissues presents a significant global health challenge due to the impediments posed by the harsh healing microenvironment, which includes ongoing bacterial invasion, high oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and impaired angiogenesis. To overcome the above issues, we propose a composite hydrogel based on the multiple-crosslinked mechanism involving the covalent network of CC bonds within catechol and maleic-modified HA (CMHA), the self-assembly network of glycyrrhizic acid (GA), and the metal-polyphenol coordination induced by ZHMCe for accelerating infectious wound healing. The resulting CMHA/GA/ZHMCe hydrogels demonstrate enhanced mechanical, adhesive, antioxidative, and antibacterial properties. Importantly, the hydrogel system possesses wound environment-responsive properties that allow it to adapt to the specific therapeutic requirements of different stages by regulating various enzyme activities in the healing of infected wounds. Furthermore, the biocompatible CMHA/GA/ZHMCe shows the ability to promote cell migration and angiogenesis in vitro while reprogramming macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype due to the effective release of active ingredients. In vivo experiments confirm that the CMHA/GA/ZHMCe hydrogel significantly enhances infectious wound healing by accelerating re-epithelialization, promoting collagen deposition, regulating inflammation, and contributing to vascularization. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of our hydrogel dressings for the treatment of bacterially infected cutaneous wound healing.

Development of a manganese complex hyaluronic acid hydrogel encapsulating stimuli-responsive Gambogic acid nanoparticles for targeted Intratumoral delivery

Gambogic acid is a natural compound with anticancer properties and is effective for many tumors. But its low water solubility and dose-dependent side effects limit its clinical application. This study aims to develop a novel drug delivery system for intratumoral delivery of gambogic acid. In our experimental study, we propose a new method for encapsulating gambogic acid nanoparticles using a manganese composite hyaluronic acid hydrogel as a carrier, designed for targeted drug delivery to tumors. The hydrogel delivery system is synthesized through the coordination of hyaluronic acid-dopamine (HA-DOPA) and manganese ions. The incorporation of manganese ions serves three purposes:1.To form cross-linked hydrogels, thereby improving the mechanical properties of HA-DOPA.2.To monitor the retention of hydrogels in vivo in real-time using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).3.To activate the body's immune response. The experimental results show that the designed hydrogel has good biosafety, in vivo sustained release effect and imaging tracking ability. In the mouse CT26 model, the hydrogel drug-loaded group can better inhibit tumor growth. Further immunological analysis shows that the drug-loaded hydrogel group can stimulate the body's immune response, thereby better achieving anti-tumor effects. These findings indicate the potential of the developed manganese composite hyaluronic acid hydrogel as an effective and safe platform for intratumoral drug delivery. The amalgamation of biocompatibility, controlled drug release, and imaging prowess positions this system as a promising candidate for tumor treatment.

The bioengineering application of hyaluronic acid in tissue regeneration and repair

The multifaceted role of hyaluronic acid (HA) across diverse biomedical disciplines underscores its versatility in tissue regeneration and repair. HA hydrogels employ different crosslinking including chemical (chitosan, collagen), photo- initiation (riboflavin, LAP), enzymatic (HRP/H2O2), and physical interactions (hydrogen bonds, metal coordination). In biophysics and biochemistry, HA's signaling pathways, primarily through CD44 and RHAMM receptors, modulate cell behavior (cell migration; internalization of HA), inflammation, and wound healing. Particularly, smaller HA fragments stimulate inflammatory responses through toll-like receptors, impacting macrophages and cytokine expression. HA's implications in oncology highlight its involvement in tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment. Elevated HA in tumor stroma impacts apoptosis resistance and promotes tumor growth, presenting potential therapeutic targets to halt tumor progression. In orthopedics, HA's presence in synovial fluid aids in osteoarthritis management, as its supplementation alleviates pain, enhances synovial fluid's viscoelastic properties, and promotes cartilage integrity. In ophthalmology, HA's application in dry eye syndrome addresses symptoms by moisturizing the eyes, replenishing tear film deficiencies, and facilitating wound healing. Intravitreal injections and hydrogel-based systems offer versatile approaches for drug delivery and vitreous humor replacement. For skin regeneration and wound healing, HA hydrogel dressings exhibit exceptional properties by promoting moist wound healing and facilitating tissue repair. Integration of advanced regenerative tools like stem cells and solubilized amnion membranes into HA-based systems accelerates wound closure and tissue recovery. Overall, HA's unique properties and interactions render it a promising candidate across diverse biomedical domains, showcasing immense potentials in tissue regeneration and therapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, many detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of HA and its applications remain unexplored and warrant further investigation.

A synergistically antimicrobial and antioxidant hyaluronic acid hydrogel for infected wounds

Bacterial infections during wound healing impede the healing process and trigger local or systemic inflammatory reactions. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop a new material with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to promote infected wound healing. A synergistically antimicrobial and antioxidant hyaluronic acid hydrogel (HMn) is prepared by employing MnO2 nanosheets into 4ARM-PEG5000-SH crosslinked methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) network. The coordination between sulfhydryl groups of 4ARM-PEG5000-SH and MnO2 nanosheets ensures entrapment of the nanosheets within the hydrogel, while the interaction between 4ARM-PEG5000-SH and HAMA results in facile gelation through thiol-ene click reaction. MnO2 nanosheets exhibit strong photothermal properties and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging abilities, while hyaluronic acid promotes wound healing. When subjected to near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the HMn achieves a bactericidal rate of 95.24 % for Staphylococcus aureus and nearly 100 % for Escherichia coli. In animal experiments, treatment with the HMn under NIR irradiation results in the best wound healing outcomes. Both in vitro and vivo biocompatible assays demonstrate that the HMn has rarely cell cytotoxicity and tissue damage. The HMn is easy to prepare and has good biocompatibility as well as efficient antibacterial and antioxidant properties, providing a novel method for the treatment of infected wounds.

A hyaluronic acid hydrogel as a mild photothermal antibacterial, antioxidant, and nitric oxide release platform for diabetic wound healing

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based biopolymer hydrogels are promising therapeutic dressings for various wounds but still underperform in treating diabetic wounds. These wounds are extremely difficult to heal and undergo a prolonged and severe inflammatory process due to bacterial infection, overexpression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and insufficient synthesis of NO. In this study, a dynamic crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel dressing (Gel-HAB) loaded with allomelanin (AMNP)-N, N'-dis-sec-butyl-N, N'-dinitroso-1, 4-phenylenediamine (BNN6) nanoparticles (AMNP-BNN6) was developed for healing diabetic wounds. The dynamic acylhydrazone bond formed between hydrazide-modified HA (HA-ADH) and oxidized HA (OHA) makes the hydrogel injectable, self-healing, and biocompatible. The hydrogel, loaded with AMNP-BNN6 nanoparticles, exhibits promising ROS scavenging ability and on-demand release of nitric oxide (NO) under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation to achieve mild photothermal antibacterial therapy (PTAT) (∼ 48 °C). Notably, the Gel-HAB hydrogel effectively reduced the oxidative stress level, controlled infections, accelerated vascular regeneration, and promoted angiogenesis, thereby achieving rapid healing of diabetic wounds. The injectable self-healing nanocomposite hydrogel could serve as a mild photothermal-enhanced antibacterial, antioxidant, and nitric oxide release platform for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Nano-Micron Combined Hydrogel Microspheres: Novel Answer for Minimal Invasive Biomedical Applications

Hydrogels, key in biomedical research for their hydrophilicity and versatility, have evolved with hydrogel microspheres (HMs) of micron-scale dimensions, enhancing their role in minimally invasive therapeutic delivery, tissue repair, and regeneration. The recent emergence of nanomaterials has ushered in a revolutionary transformation in the biomedical field, which demonstrates tremendous potential in targeted therapies, biological imaging, and disease diagnostics. Consequently, the integration of advanced nanotechnology promises to trigger a new revolution in the realm of hydrogels. HMs loaded with nanomaterials combine the advantages of both hydrogels and nanomaterials, which enables multifaceted functionalities such as efficient drug delivery, sustained release, targeted therapy, biological lubrication, biochemical detection, medical imaging, biosensing monitoring, and micro-robotics. Here, this review comprehensively expounds upon commonly used nanomaterials and their classifications. Then, it provides comprehensive insights into the raw materials and preparation methods of HMs. Besides, the common strategies employed to achieve nano-micron combinations are summarized, and the latest applications of these advanced nano-micron combined HMs in the biomedical field are elucidated. Finally, valuable insights into the future design and development of nano-micron combined HMs are provided.

Multiscale Control of Nanofiber-Composite Hydrogel for Complex 3D Cell Culture by Extracellular Matrix Composition and Nanofiber Alignment

In order to manipulate the complex behavior of cells in a 3-dimensional (3D) environment, it is important to provide the microenvironment that can accurately portray the complexity of highly anisotropic tissue structures. However, it is technically challenging to generate a complex microenvironment using conventional biomaterials that are mostly isotropic with limited bioactivity. In this study, the gelatin-hyaluronic acid hydrogel incorporated with aqueous-dispersible, short nanofibers capable of in situ alignment is developed to emulate the native heterogeneous extracellular matrix consisting of fibrous and non-fibrous components. The gelatin nanofibers containing magnetic nanoparticles, which could be aligned by external magnetic field, are dispersed and embedded in gelatin-hyaluronic acid hydrogel encapsulated with dermal fibroblasts. The aligned nanofibers via magnetic field could be safely integrated into the hydrogel, and the process could be repeated to generate larger 3D hydrogels with variable nanofiber alignments. The aligned nanofibers in the hydrogel can more effectively guide the anisotropic morphology (e.g., elongation) of dermal fibroblasts than random nanofibers, whereas myofibroblastic differentiation is more prominent in random nanofibers. At a given nanofiber configuration, the hydrogel composition having intermediate hyaluronic acid content induces myofibroblastic differentiation. These results indicate that modulating the degree of nanofiber alignment and the hyaluronic acid content of the hydrogel are crucial factors that critically influence the fibroblast phenotypes. The nanofiber-composite hydrogel capable of directional nanofiber alignment and tunable material composition can effectively induce a wide array of phenotypic plasticity in 3D cell culture.

Microenvironment-Responsive Hydrogel Reduces Seizures After Traumatic Brain Injury in Juvenile Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Hippocampal Inflammation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the primary cause of child mortality and disability worldwide. It can result in severe complications that significantly impact children's quality of life, including post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). An increasing number of studies suggest that TBI-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory sequelae (especially, inflammation in the hippocampus region) may lead to the development of PTE. Due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), typical systemic pharmacological therapy for TBI cannot deliver berberine (BBR) to the targeted location in the early stages of the injury, although BBR has strong anti-inflammatory properties. To break through this limitation, a microenvironment-responsive gelatin methacrylate (GM) hydrogel to deliver poly(propylene sulfide)60 (PPS60) and BBR (GM/PB) is developed for regulating neuroinflammatory reactions and removing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain trauma microenvironment through PPS60. In situ injection of the GM/PB hydrogel efficiently bypasses the BBB and is administered directly to the surface of brain tissue. In post-traumatic brain injury models, GM/PB has the potential to mitigate oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses, facilitate functional recovery, and lessen seizing. These findings can lead to a new treatment for brain injuries, which minimizes complications and improves the quality of life.

Exploring the Formulation and Approaches of Injectable Hydrogels Utilizing Hyaluronic Acid in Biomedical Uses

The characteristics of injectable hydrogels make them a prime contender for various biomedical applications. Hyaluronic acid is an essential component of the matrix surrounding the cells; moreover, hyaluronic acid's structural and biochemical characteristics entice researchers to develop injectable hydrogels for various applications. However, due to its poor mechanical properties, several strategies are used to produce injectable hyaluronic acid hydrogel. This review summarizes published studies on the production of injectable hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid polysaccharide polymers and the biomedical field's applications for these hydrogel systems. Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels are divided into two categories based on their injectability mechanisms: in situ-forming injectable hydrogels and shear-thinning injectable hydrogels. Many crosslinking methods are used to create injectable hydrogels; chemical crosslinking techniques are the most frequently investigated technique. Hybrid injectable hydrogel systems are widely investigated by blending hyaluronic acid with other polymers or nanoparticulate systems. Injectable hyaluronic acid hydrogels were thoroughly investigated and proven to demonstrate potential in various medical fields, including delivering drugs and cells, tissue repair, and wound dressings.

Effect of catheter needle caliber on polidocanol foam stability in foam sclerotherapy

Background

Although sclerotherapy is widely used to treat vascular malformations (VMs), it is associated with several challenges. One significant issue is the insufficient understanding of the influence of various factors on the stability of polidocanol (POL) foam used in sclerotherapy.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the effect of the catheter needle caliber on foam stability when using POL with or without hyaluronic acid (HA) for the treatment of VMs.

Methods and materials

The Tessari method generated sclerosant foam using POL both with and without HA. We used catheters and syringe needles of various calibers, and the resulting foam was transferred into new syringes to facilitate a comparison of foam stability. Foam half-life (FHT) was utilized as a metric to assess foam stability.

Results

The study found that narrower needle calibers produced a more stable foam when POL was used alone; however, no significant effect was observed when HA was added. Furthermore, when the foam was expelled using catheters and syringe needles of the same size, no noticeable changes in the stability were observed.

Conclusion

When choosing needles of varying calibers, their effect on foam stability should be carefully considered, particularly when the foam contains HA.

Exploring the Progress of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels: Synthesis, Characteristics, and Wide-Ranging Applications

This comprehensive review delves into the world of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, exploring their creation, characteristics, research methodologies, and uses. HA hydrogels stand out among natural polysaccharides due to their distinct features. Their exceptional biocompatibility makes them a top choice for diverse biomedical purposes, with a great ability to coexist harmoniously with living cells and tissues. Furthermore, their biodegradability permits their gradual breakdown by bodily enzymes, enabling the creation of temporary frameworks for tissue engineering endeavors. Additionally, since HA is a vital component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in numerous tissues, HA hydrogels can replicate the ECM's structure and functions. This mimicry is pivotal in tissue engineering applications by providing an ideal setting for cellular growth and maturation. Various cross-linking techniques like chemical, physical, enzymatic, and hybrid methods impact the mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and degradation speed of the hydrogels. Assessment tools such as rheological analysis, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, swelling tests, and degradation studies are employed to examine their attributes. HA-based hydrogels feature prominently in tissue engineering, drug distribution, wound recovery, ophthalmology, and cartilage mending. Crafting HA hydrogels enables the production of biomaterials with sought-after qualities, offering avenues for advancements in the realm of biomedicine.

Strategies to improve the performance of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as orthopedic implants: from surface modification to addition of bioactive materials

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), as a high-performance polymer, is widely used for bone defect repair due to its homogeneous modulus of elasticity of human bone, good biocompatibility, excellent chemical stability and projectability. However, the highly hydrophobic surface of PEEK is biologically inert, which makes it difficult for cells and proteins to attach, and is accompanied by the development of infections that ultimately lead to failure of PEEK implants. In order to further enhance the potential of PEEK as an orthopedic implant, researchers have explored modification methods such as surface modification by physical and chemical means and the addition of bioactive substances to PEEK-based materials to enhance the mechanical properties, osteogenic activity and antimicrobial properties of PEEK. However, these current modification methods still have obvious shortcomings in terms of cost, maneuverability, stability and cytotoxicity, which still need to be explored by researchers. This paper reviews some of the modification methods that have been used to improve the performance of PEEK over the last three years in anticipation of the need for researchers to design PEEK orthopedic implants that better meet clinical needs.

Application of hydrogel microneedles in the oral cavity

Microneedles are a transdermal drug delivery system in which the needle punctures the epithelium to deliver the drug directly to deep tissues, thus avoiding the influence of the first-pass effect of the gastrointestinal tract and minimizing the likelihood of pain induction. Hydrogel microneedles are microneedles prepared from hydrogels that have good biocompatibility, controllable mechanical properties, and controllable drug release and can be modified to achieve environmental control of drug release in vivo. The large epithelial tissue in the oral cavity is an ideal site for drug delivery via microneedles. Hydrogel microneedles can overcome mucosal hindrances to delivering drugs to deep tissues; this prevents humidity and a highly dynamic environment in the oral cavity from influencing the efficacy of the drugs and enables them to obtain better therapeutic effects. This article analyzes the materials and advantages of common hydrogel microneedles and reviews the application of hydrogel microneedles in the oral cavity.

An endometrial biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM) for enhanced endometrial regeneration using hyaluronic acid hydrogel containing recombinant human type III collagen

Endometrial injury poses a significant challenge in tissue regeneration, with type III collagen (COL III) playing a pivotal role in maintaining endometrial integrity and facilitating repair. Our study explored the utility of recombinant human type III collagen (RHC) as an intervention for endometrial damage. To address the challenges associated with the inherent instability and rapid degradation of COL III in vivo, we developed an RHC-HA hydrogel by conjugating RHC with hyaluronic acid (HA), thus ensuring a more stable and sustained delivery. Our findings suggested that the RHC-HA hydrogel significantly promoted endometrial regeneration and restored fertility. The hydrogel facilitated prolonged retention of RHC in the uterus, leading to a substantial improvement in the repair process. The synergistic interaction between RHC and HA greatly enhances cell proliferation and adhesion, surpassing the efficacy of HA or RHC alone. Additionally, the RHC-HA hydrogel demonstrated notable anti-fibrotic effects, which are crucial for preventing abnormalities during endometrial healing. These findings suggested that the RHC-HA hydrogel presented a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of uterine endometrial injuries, which may improve female reproductive health.

Engineered Bio-Based Hydrogels for Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy represents a revolutionary paradigm in cancer management, showcasing its potential to impede tumor metastasis and recurrence. Nonetheless, challenges including limited therapeutic efficacy and severe immune-related side effects are frequently encountered, especially in solid tumors. Hydrogels, a class of versatile materials featuring well-hydrated structures widely used in biomedicine, offer a promising platform for encapsulating and releasing small molecule drugs, biomacromolecules, and cells in a controlled manner. Immunomodulatory hydrogels present a unique capability for augmenting immune activation and mitigating systemic toxicity through encapsulation of multiple components and localized administration. Notably, hydrogels based on biopolymers have gained significant interest owing to their biocompatibility, environmental friendliness, and ease of production. This review delves into the recent advances in bio-based hydrogels in cancer immunotherapy and synergistic combinatorial approaches, highlighting their diverse applications. It is anticipated that this review will guide the rational design of hydrogels in the field of cancer immunotherapy, fostering clinical translation and ultimately benefiting patients.

Hyaluronic acid-based gels for oral application: Comparison of in vitro effects on gingival cells and bacteria

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of different topical hyaluronic acid-based gels on human gingival fibroblasts and oral bacteria.

Methods

Four different hyaluronate gels - Bexident® Aftas (BA), GUM® AftaClear (AfC), Gengigel®(G), Aloclair® Plus (AlC) and a chlorhexidine gel - Bexident®Gums(BG) were selected. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were seeded in 48-well plates with different gel/culture medium concentrations (v/v%) and cell viability was evaluated at 1 and 3 days of culture. Cell morphology was assessed, and alterations graded according to ISO 10993-5:2009(E). Streptococcus oralis CECT 907T colony was, seed on 48-well plate or spread onto the blood agar plates and exposed to the different gel's concentration. The optical density (OD) was assessed, and the diameter of the inhibition zone was measured (mm).

Results

BA and G elicited reduced HGF cytotoxicity, followed by AfC. AlC and BG were cytotoxic at concentrations up to 3% for all exposure times. PCM images of HGF showed moderate-to-severe alterations for AlC and BG and slight to mild changes, for BA, AfC and G. The highest antibacterial activity against S.oralis was observed on AlC and AfC, and no antibacterial activity was observed for BA and G. Inhibitory effect in sessile colonies was only observed in AlC and BG.

Conclusions

AlC demonstrated superior antibacterial activities against S.oralis but a higher cytotoxic potential in HGF. BA and G presented the lowest cytotoxicity with little to no antibacterial effect. AfC demonstrated bacteriostatic effects and low cytotoxicity on HGF.

Local and Sustained Baricitinib Delivery to the Skin through Injectable Hydrogels Containing Reversible Thioimidate Adducts

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are approved for many dermatologic disorders, but their use is limited by systemic toxicities including serious cardiovascular events and malignancy. To overcome these limitations, injectable hydrogels are engineered for the local and sustained delivery of baricitinib, a representative JAK inhibitor. Hydrogels are formed via disulfide crosslinking of thiolated hyaluronic acid macromers. Dynamic thioimidate bonds are introduced between the thiolated hyaluronic acid and nitrile-containing baricitinib for drug tethering, which is confirmed with 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Release of baricitinib is tunable over six weeks in vitro and active in inhibiting JAK signaling in a cell line containing a luciferase reporter reflecting interferon signaling. For in vivo activity, baricitinib hydrogels or controls are injected intradermally into an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis. Imiquimod increases epidermal thickness in mice, which is unaffected when treated with baricitinib or hydrogel alone. Treatment with baricitinib hydrogels suppresses the increased epidermal thickness in mice treated with imiquimod, suggesting that the sustained and local release of baricitinib is important for a therapeutic outcome. This study is the first to utilize a thioimidate chemistry to deliver JAK inhibitors to the skin through injectable hydrogels, which has translational potential for treating inflammatory disorders.

High-Performance Hydrogel-Encapsulated Engineered Exosomes for Supporting Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis and Boosting Diabetic Bone Regeneration

The regeneration of bone defects in diabetic patients still faces challenges, as the intrinsic healing process is impaired by hyperglycemia. Inspired by the discovery that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is in a state of excessive stress and dysfunction under hyperglycemia, leading to osteogenic disorder, a novel engineered exosome is proposed to modulate ER homeostasis for restoring the function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The results indicate that the constructed engineered exosomes efficiently regulate ER homeostasis and dramatically facilitate the function of MSCs in the hyperglycemic niche. Additionally, the underlying therapeutic mechanism of exosomes is elucidated. The results reveal that exosomes can directly provide recipient cells with SHP2 for the activation of mitophagy and elimination of mtROS, which is the immediate cause of ER dysfunction. To maximize the therapeutic effect of engineered exosomes, a high-performance hydrogel with self-healing, bioadhesive, and exosome-conjugating properties is applied to encapsulate the engineered exosomes for in vivo application. In vivo, evaluation in diabetic bone defect repair models demonstrates that the engineered exosomes delivering hydrogel system intensively enhance osteogenesis. These findings provide crucial insight into the design and biological mechanism of ER homeostasis-based tissue-engineering strategies for diabetic bone regeneration.

Hyaluronic acid hydrogels with excellent self-healing capacity and photo-enhanced mechanical properties for wound healing

A continuously stable moist healing environment is immensely beneficial for wound healing, which can be availably achieved by providing an in situ hydrogel with enough strength resembling skin tissue and self-healing ability. Herein, through a dual-crosslinking strategy, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels with excellent self-healing capacity and enhanced mechanical properties are fabricated via the acylhydrazone linkages and subsequent photocrosslinking based on hydrazide-modified sodium hyaluronate and aldehyde-modified maleic sodium hyaluronate. The hydrogels demonstrate the fast gelation process (< 1 min), the controlled swelling behaviors, and the good biocompatibility. Notably, they possess enhanced mechanical strength similar to the human dermis (∼ 2.2 kPa). Also, they can self-heal rapidly with a self-healing efficiency of ∼90 % at 6 h. Based on this, the hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels, without any biological factors involved, can facilitate the full-thickness skin wound reconstruction process by accelerating the three phases of the wound repair, including reducing wound inflammation in the inflammatory phase, promoting angiogenesis in the proliferative phase, and promoting the deposition and reconstruction of collagen in the remodeling phase. The produced hyaluronic acid hydrogel can serve as an ideal candidate for wound healing.

Applications of Hydrogels in Osteoarthritis Treatment

This review critically evaluates advancements in multifunctional hydrogels, particularly focusing on their applications in osteoarthritis (OA) therapy. As research evolves from traditional natural materials, there is a significant shift towards synthetic and composite hydrogels, known for their superior mechanical properties and enhanced biodegradability. This review spotlights novel applications such as injectable hydrogels, microneedle technology, and responsive hydrogels, which have revolutionized OA treatment through targeted and efficient therapeutic delivery. Moreover, it discusses innovative hydrogel materials, including protein-based and superlubricating hydrogels, for their potential to reduce joint friction and inflammation. The integration of bioactive compounds within hydrogels to augment therapeutic efficacy is also examined. Furthermore, the review anticipates continued technological advancements and a deeper understanding of hydrogel-based OA therapies. It emphasizes the potential of hydrogels to provide tailored, minimally invasive treatments, thus highlighting their critical role in advancing the dynamic field of biomaterial science for OA management.

Dual-Modified Hyaluronic Acid for Tunable Double Cross-Linked Hydrogel Adhesives

Conventional techniques for the closure of wounds, such as sutures and staples, have significant drawbacks that can negatively impact wound healing. Tissue adhesives have emerged as promising alternatives, but poor adhesion, low mechanical properties, and toxicity have hindered their widespread clinical adoption. In this work, a dual modified, aldehyde and methacrylate hyaluronic acid (HA) biopolymer (HA-MA-CHO) has been synthesized through a simplified route for use as a double cross-linked network (DCN) hydrogel (HA-MA-CHO-DCN) adhesive for the effective closure and sealing of wounds. HA-MA-CHO-DCN cross-links in two stages: initial cross-linking of the aldehyde functionality (CHO) of HA-MA-CHO using a disulfide-containing cross-linker, 3,3'-dithiobis (propionic hydrazide) (DTPH), leading to the formation of a self-healing injectable gel, followed by further cross-linking via ultraviolet (UV) initiated polymerization of the methacrylate (MA) functionality. This hydrogel adhesive shows a stable swelling behavior and remarkable versatility as the storage modulus (G') has shown to be highly tunable (103-105 Pa) for application to many different wound environments. The new HA-MA-CHO-DCN hydrogel showed excellent adhesive properties by surpassing the burst pressure and lap-shear strength for the widely used bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde (BSAG) glue while maintaining excellent cell viability.

3D bioprinting of stromal cells-laden artificial cornea based on visible light-crosslinkable bioinks forming multilength networks

3D bioprinting has the potential for the rapid and precise engineering of hydrogel constructs that can mimic the structural and optical complexity of a healthy cornea. However, the use of existing light-activated bioinks for corneal printing is limited by their poor cytocompatibility, use of cytotoxic photoinitiators (PIs), low photo-crosslinking efficiency, and opaque/colored surface of the printed material. Herein, we report a fast-curable, non-cytotoxic, optically transparent bioprinting system using a new water-soluble benzoyl phosphinate-based PI and photocrosslinkable methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA). Compared with commercially available PIs, the newly developed PI, lithium benzoyl (phenyl) phosphinate (BP), demonstrated increased photoinitiation efficiency under visible light and low cytotoxicity. Using a catalytic amount of BP, the HA-based bioinks quickly formed 3D hydrogel constructs under low-energy visible-light irradiation (405 nm, <1 J cm-2). The mechanical properties and printability of photocurable bioinks were further improved by blending low (10 kDa) and high (100 kDa) molecular weight (MW) HAMA by forming multilength networks. For potential applications as corneal scaffolds, stromal cell-laden dome-shaped constructs were fabricated using MW-blended HAMA/BP bioink and a digital light processing printer. The HA-based photocurable bioinks exhibited good cytocompatibility (80%-95%), fast curing kinetics (<5 s), and excellent optical transparency (>90% in the visible range), potentially making them suitable for corneal tissue engineering.

Nanotechnological Research for Regenerative Medicine: The Role of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear, anionic, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan occurring in almost all body tissues and fluids of vertebrates including humans. It is a main component of the extracellular matrix and, thanks to its high water-holding capacity, plays a major role in tissue hydration and osmotic pressure maintenance, but it is also involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, inflammation, immunomodulation, and angiogenesis. Based on multiple physiological effects on tissue repair and reconstruction processes, HA has found extensive application in regenerative medicine. In recent years, nanotechnological research has been applied to HA in order to improve its regenerative potential, developing nanomedical formulations containing HA as the main component of multifunctional hydrogels systems, or as core component or coating/functionalizing element of nanoconstructs. This review offers an overview of the various uses of HA in regenerative medicine aimed at designing innovative nanostructured devices to be applied in various fields such as orthopedics, dermatology, and neurology.

Injectable, self-healing hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels for spinal cord injury repair

The cystic cavity that develops following spinal cord injury is a major obstacle for repairing spinal cord injury (SCI). The injectable self-healing biomaterials treatment is a promising strategy to enhance tissue repair after traumatic spinal cord injury. Herein, a natural extracellular matrix (ECM) biopolymer hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel was developed based on multiple dynamic covalent bonds. The hydrogels exhibited excellent injectable and self-healing properties, could be effectively injected into the injury site, and filled the lesion cavity to accelerate the tissue repair of traumatic SCI. Moreover, the hydrogels were compatible with cells and various tissues and possessed proper stiffness matched with nervous tissue. Additionally, when implanted into the injured spinal cord site, the hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel promoted axonal regeneration and functional recovery by accelerating remyelination, axon regeneration, and angiogenesis. Overall, the injectable self-healing hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels are ideal biomaterials for treating traumatic SCI.

A review on natural biopolymers in external drug delivery systems for wound healing and atopic dermatitis

Despite the advantages of topical administration in the treatment of skin diseases, current marketed preparations face the challenge of the skin's barrier effect, leading to low therapeutic effectiveness and undesirable side effects. Hence, in recent years the management of skin wounds, the main morbidity-causing complication in hospital environments, and atopic dermatitis, the most common inflammatory skin disease, has become a great concern. Fortunately, new, more effective, and safer treatments are already under development, with chitosan, starch, silk fibroin, agarose, hyaluronic acid, alginate, collagen, and gelatin having been used for the development of nanoparticles, liposomes, niosomes and/or hydrogels to improve the delivery of several molecules for the treatment of these diseases. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, increased viscosity, controlled drug delivery, increased drug retention in the epidermis, and overall mitigation of adverse effects, contribute to an effective treatment, additionally providing intrinsic antimicrobial and wound healing properties. In this review, some of the most recent success cases of biopolymer-based drug delivery systems as part of nanocarriers, semi-solid hydrogel matrices, or both (hybrid systems), for the management of skin wounds and atopic dermatitis, are critically discussed, including composition and in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo characterization, showing the promise of these external drug delivery systems.

Immune regulation enhances osteogenesis and angiogenesis using an injectable thiolated hyaluronic acid hydrogel with lithium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite (Li-nHA) delivery for osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis is a devastating orthopedic disease in clinic that generally occurs in the femoral head associating with corticosteroid use up to 49 % in patients. In particular, glucocorticoids induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head is closely related to the local immune response that characterized by abnormal macrophage activation and inflammatory cell infiltration at the necrotic site, forming a pro-inflammatory microenvironment dominated by M1 macrophages, and thus leads to failure of bone repair and regeneration. Here, we report a bone regeneration strategy that constructs an immune regulatory biomaterial platform using an injectable thiolated hyaluronic acid hydrogel with lithium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite (Li-nHA@Gel) delivery for osteonecrosis treatment. Li-nHA@Gel achieved a sustain and longterm release of Li ions, which might enhance M2 macrophage polarization through the activation of the JAK1/STAT6/STAT3 signaling pathway, and the following induced pro-repair immune microenvironment mediated the enhancement of the osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation. Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that Li-nHA@Gel enhanced M2 macrophage polarization, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis, and thus promoted the bone and blood vessel formation. Taken together, this novel bone immunomodulatory biomaterial platform that promotes bone regeneration by enhancing M2 macrophage polarization, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis could be a promising strategy for osteonecrosis treatment.