Assessment of Fibrin‐Based Hydrogels Containing a Fibrin‐Binding Peptide to Tune Mechanical Properties and Cell Responses

Abstract

Fibrin‐based hydrogels are used as scaffolds in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their biocompatibility, low cell toxicity, autologous production, and relevance for wound healing and clot formation. The availability of fibrinogen as well as its unique mechanical behavior exhibiting nonlinear elasticity makes it suitable for the fabrication of hydrogels. However, the broad application of fibrin hydrogels in biomaterials still faces challenges in terms of gel shrinkage and degradation processes. This can be addressed through the modulation of the hydrogels'r chemical and mechanical properties. In the present work, it is demonstrated that fibrin‐based hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties and controllable degradation profiles can be fabricated through the addition of fibrin‐binding peptides. The cyclic peptide X2CXYYGTCLX (Tn7) is used, binding to fibrin by noncovalent supramolecular interactions. These new hydrogels exhibit no toxicity and reduced degradation rate at the same time supporting cell proliferation. Tn7 peptides significantly increase the Young's Modulus and mechanical stiffness as well as fibrin fiber thickness and inter‐fiber crosslinking in hydrogels. In conclusion, hydrogels with optimized mechanical properties and controllable degradation profiles that can be advantageous for further approaches in tissue regeneration, cell‐based therapies, or clinical treatment options are produced.

Impact of Fibrin Gel Architecture on Hepatocyte Growth Factor Release and Its Role in Modulating Cell Behavior for Tissue Regeneration

“…This analysis included precise measurements of cell adhesion rates and proliferation indices, providing robust quantitative data that support the observed cell behaviors. These characterizations affirm the bioactivity and suitability of the fibrin hydrogels for promoting cellular activities critical for tissue regeneration [ 25 ].…”

Multiresponsive Core–Shell Microgels Functionalized by Nitrilotriacetic Acid

“…Briefly, 600 μL of Ringer solution was mixed with 10 μL of fluorescein diacetate (FDA, 5 mg mL –1 in acetone) and 10 μL of propidium iodide (PI, 0.5 mg mL –1 in PBS). Cells were stained with 20 μL of this stock solution and analyzed using fluorescence microscopy (DMI6000B, Leica, Wetzlar, Germany), as previously described. − Using double stainings with FDA/PI enables the discrimination of viable (green fluorescent) and dead (read fluorescent) cells. For the dead cell controls, 20 μL of TritonX-100 (0.1% dissolved in PBS) was added to lyze the cells.…”