Effect of Hyaluronic Acid on the Self‐Assembly of a Dipeptide‐Based Supramolecular Gel

Abstract

The combination of polymers and low molecular weight (LMW) compounds is a powerful approach to prepare new supramolecular materials – i.e. hydrogels. Here we prepare two‐component hydrogels made by a well‐known and biologically‐active polymer, hyaluronic acid (HA), and a dipeptide‐based supramolecular gelator. We undertake a detailed study of different compositions including macroscopic (hydrogel formation, rheology) and micro/nanoscopic characterization (electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction). We observe that the two components mutually benefit in the new material: a minimum amout of HA (1‐5 mol% of COOH groups) helps to reduce the polymorphism of the LMW component leading to reproducible hydrogels with improved mechanical properties; the LMW component network holds HA without the need of irreversible covalent crosslinking. These materials have a great potential for biomedical application as, for instance, extracellular matrix mimetics for cell growth. As a proof of concept, we have observed that this material is effective for cell growth in suspension and avoids cell sedimentation even in the presence of competing cell‐adhesive surfaces, which can be of interest for advanced cell delivery techniques.