A Dual-Factor Releasing Hydrogel for Rotator Cuff Injury Repair

Abstract

Rotator cuff injury causes pain in the shoulder and is a challenge to be repaired even after surgical reconstruction. Here, we developed a dual-factor releasing hydrogel based on sulfhydrylated chitosan to deliver KGN and FGF-2 to the injured area to enable fast healing of the tendon–bone interface, which is essential for the repair of rotator cuff injury. We found that the two factors could be easily loaded into the hydrogel, which could in turn continuously release the factors in physiological conditions. The hydrogel was found to be a porous structure through a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The micropores in the hydrogel structure enable the loading and releasing of these molecules. This study showed that KGN and FGF-2 could play a synergistic effect by recruiting and promoting stem cell proliferation and chondrogenesis, thus accelerating the healing of the tendon–bone interface. An in vivo study based on a rabbit rotator cuff injury model demonstrated that the dual-factor releasing hydrogel possesses superior repair capacity than a single-factor releasing hydrogel and the untreated groups. In conclusion, the KGN and FGF-2 dual-factor releasing hydrogel could be a promising biomaterial for the regeneration of the tendon–bone interface and rotator cuff injury repair.

Repair of Infected Bone Defects with Hydrogel Materials

“…These innova drogels exhibit enhanced biocompatibility, diminished resistance, and a wider antimicrobial activity compared to the conventional use of antibiotics in clinical Furthermore, the widespread use of bone repair drugs provides a viable treatm FGF is a growth factor that exhibits the ability to be readily incorporated into hydrogels. For instance, Teng et al successfully incorporated KGN and FGF-2 into a mercapturized CS-based hydrogel which demonstrated efficacy in the controlled release and targeted delivery of both factors to the site of injury, thereby facilitating prompt healing at the interface between the tendon and bone [149].…”

“…FGF is a growth factor that exhibits the ability to be readily incorporated into hydrogels. For instance, Teng et al successfully incorporated KGN and FGF-2 into a mercapturized CS-based hydrogel which demonstrated efficacy in the controlled release and targeted delivery of both factors to the site of injury, thereby facilitating prompt healing at the interface between the tendon and bone [ 149 ].…”

Hydrogel Development for Rotator Cuff Repair

“…Besides, KGN significantly increased the levels of phosphor-Smads that mediate TGFβ and BMP signaling ( Decker et al, 2014 ). We found the FGF-2/KGN-loaded hydrogel could be a promising biomaterial to promote healing rotator cuff ( Teng et al, 2021 ).…”