Bioengineered three-dimensional scaffolds to elucidate the effects of material biodegradability on cell behavior using POSS-PEG hybrid hydrogels

Injectable and Degradable PEG Hydrogel with Antibacterial Performance for Promoting Wound Healing

“…While studying the morphology of PEG hydrogel, the internal microstructure of PEG hydrogels after degradation in a complete medium was also observed via SEM. As shown in Figure A, within 4 weeks, the network structure of PEG hydrogels gradually collapsed and the three-dimensional structure could not be maintained with the extension of the degradation time, which was consistent with our previous research. ,, …”

“…In the past decade, tissue engineering has attracted great attention as an alternative to traditional tissue regeneration methods, − and great attempts have been made within this field to synthesize and manufacture scaffolds, which can improve tissue regeneration. − Hydrogel is a kind of hydrophilic polymer material with a lightly cross-linked three-dimensional network structure, which is known for absorbing and retaining a large amount of water while maintaining its own structure insoluble in water. , For wound healing, hydrogels can provide a moist environment for the wound site, absorb exudates, and clean up the local environment to accelerate healing without causing toxicity. − Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most important raw materials for the preparation of hydrogels. , It has the characteristics of non-toxicity, low immunogenicity, and good biocompatibility and can be excreted through the kidneys without accumulation in the body. , In tissue engineering, scaffolds that can be degraded and remodeled as cells that migrate and synthesize a new extracellular matrix are considered to be more conducive to long-term tissue regeneration . In our previous work, we have successfully synthesized a variety of PEG hydrogels and these hydrogels have great potential in tissue engineering scaffolds. − In addition, our previous research work has also proven that the degradation performance of PEG hydrogels can be tuned to meet different needs by changing the ratio of the degradable cross-linker and the non-degradable cross-linker. , In this research, we also introduced hydrolysis degradable ester groups to endow the hydrogel with degradable properties, thereby making it as a degradable wound dressing. In particular, PEG hydrogel (PEG-50%) prepared via Michael-type addition between cross-linking monomer 4-arm-PEG-MAL and the cross-linkers of hydrolysis degradable PEG-diester-dithiol and non-degradable PEG-dithiol with a ratio of 1:1 was chosen as a representative to discuss its biocompatibility, feasibility as a dressing material, and its role in wound healing.…”

Engineering Biocompatible Hydrogel Fibers With Tunable Mechanical Properties For Neural Tissue Engineering

“…1). It has been shown that the size of hydrogel constructs play a key role in the morphological growth of the cells 59,60 . In smaller GelMA features, the cells can sense the boundaries of the GelMA microenvironment so that they align themselves within the boundaries.…”

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS)-Based Hybrid Soft Gels: Molecular Design, Material Advantages, and Emerging Applications

“…The chondrocytes on hydrogel films maintained high viability during the culture process and showed comparable attachment, spreading, and proliferation to the cell culture plate. Shi et al reported hydrogels consisting of monofunctional POSS, tetra-arm PEG, and PEG-dithiol, where part of the PEG-dithiol was modified with hydrolytically degradable ester bonds near the chain ends to provide a tunable degradation rate . Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were embedded into polymer solution in advance, and the hydrogels were quickly formed within 10 min, catalyzed by TEA.…”

“…Shi et al reported hydrogels consisting of monofunctional POSS, tetra-arm PEG, and PEG-dithiol, where part of the PEG-dithiol was modified with hydrolytically degradable ester bonds near the chain ends to provide a tunable degradation rate. 109 Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were embedded into polymer solution in advance, and the hydrogels were quickly formed within 10 min, catalyzed by TEA. The cells exhibited high viability (98%) and significant proliferation in the 10-day experiment, while a more rapid increase of cell density, as well as a more-rounded cell shape, were presented in the hybrid hydrogels with higher contents of degradable PEG-dithiol.…”