Impact of Reactive Amphiphilic Copolymers on Mechanical Properties and Cell Responses of Fibrin‐Based Hydrogels

Abstract

Mechanical properties of hydrogels can be modified by the variation of structure and concentration of reactive building blocks. One promising biological source for the synthesis of biocompatible hydrogels is fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is a glycoprotein in blood, which can be transformed enzymatically to fibrin playing an important role in wound healing and clot formation. In the present work, it is demonstrated that hybrid hydrogels with their improved mechanical properties, tunable internal structure, and enhanced resistance to degradation can be synthesized by a combination of fibrinogen and reactive amphiphilic copolymers. Water‐soluble amphiphilic copolymers with tunable molecular weight and controlled amounts of reactive epoxy side groups are used as reactive crosslinkers to reinforce fibrin hydrogels. In the present work, copolymers that can influence the mechanical properties of fibrin‐based hydrogels are used. The reactive copolymers increase the storage modulus of the hydrogels from 600 Pa to 30 kPa. The thickness of fibrin fibers is regulated by the copolymer concentration. It could be demonstrated that the fibrin‐based hydrogels are biocompatible and support cell proliferation. Their degradation rate is considerably slower than that of native fibrin gels. In conclusion, fibrin‐based hydrogels with tunable elasticity and fiber thickness useful to direct cell responses like proliferation and differentiation are produced.

A Dual‐Cross‐Linked Hydrogel Patch for Promoting Diabetic Wound Healing

“…Cells cultured on the hydrogels presented no potential cytotox icity on the same day according to the ISO 109935 standard. [40] Furthermore, the blood compatibility of hydrogel was evaluated by hemolysis assay since the hemolytic rate (HR) is considered to be an important indicator for evaluating biomaterial compat ibility. [41] The HR value of all hydrogels is below 2% (Figure 4D), indicating these hydrogels have good blood compatibility.…”

Dendrimer-decorated nanogels: Efficient nanocarriers for biodistribution in vivo and chemotherapy of ovarian carcinoma

“…A 3D cross-linked polymer colloids, nanogels (NGs) as nanocarriers have attracted much attention in biomedical applications, including drug/enzyme delivery, images and therapy of tumors, due to their unique properties [ [14] , [15] , [16] ]. All the time we explored various NGs that having the controllable size, deformable softness, highly porous network, excellent biocompatibility and stimuli-responsiveness can be employed as functional nanocarriers for improved tumor theranostics [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. In particular, the biocompatible PVCL-based NGs exist a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of about 35 °C which is close to body temperature, and high cargo loading capacity along with enhanced tumor accumulation for biomedical purposes [ [26] , [27] , [28] ].…”

Thermo- and oxidation-sensitive poly(meth)acrylates based on alkyl sulfoxides: dual-responsive homopolymers from one functional group

“…This cell type is used among others as standard biological material to assess the tolerability of polymeric materials in an in vitro environment. [53][54][55] The tests were performed with four different polymer concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg mL −1 and incubated for 24 hours at 37 °C. Non-cell treated medium was used as control.…”