Nanocomposite Hydrogels as Platform for Cells Growth, Proliferation, and Chemotaxis

Abstract

The challenge of mimicking the extracellular matrix with artificial scaffolds that are able to reduce immunoresponse is still unmet. Recent findings have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) infiltrating into the implanted scaffold have effects on the implant integration by improving the healing process. Toward this aim, a novel polyamidoamine-based nanocomposite hydrogel is synthesized, cross-linked with porous nanomaterials (i.e., mesoporous silica nanoparticles), able to release chemokine proteins. A comprehensive viscoelasticity study confirms that the hydrogel provides optimal structural support for MSC infiltration and proliferation. The efficiency of this hydrogel, containing the chemoattractant stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α), in promoting MSC migration in vitro is demonstrated. Finally, subcutaneous implantation of SDF-1α-releasing hydrogels in mice results in a modulation of the inflammatory reaction. Overall, the proposed SDF-1α-nanocomposite hydrogel proves to have potential for applications in tissue engineering.

Weak bond-based injectable and stimuli responsive hydrogels for biomedical applications

“…It is used for cell and drug delivery, soft fillers and tissue regeneration scaffolds. 25–30 A hydrogel is a three-dimensional (3D) hydrophilic polymeric network swollen in aqueous solution that typically carries a large amount of water. The hydrogels possess excellent porosity that resembles the properties of extracellular matrix to provide biological and mechanical cues to promote cell activities for tissue regeneration.…”

Nanocomposite Hydrogels and Their Applications in Tissue Engineering

“…Recently, another amide‐based polymer, polyamidoamine (PAMAM), a synthetic, nontoxic, biocompatible polymer, was used for the formation of nanocomposite scaffolds . De Cola et al described the preparation of PAMAM and mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSNs)‐based hydrogels via covalent cross‐linking of the amino‐functionalized MSNs to the polymeric backbone of the hydrogel.…”

“…For example, the NC hydrogels formulated with bioactive NMs, e.g. silica and calcium phosphate‐based NMs, are non‐toxic and provide excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity in vivo and in vitro applications . These NC hydrogels display enhanced mechanical stiffness, and they are elastic due to the strong physical adsorption of flexible long chain polymers onto the large surface areas of the NMs.…”

“…during wound healing, tissue formation, and homeostasis processes. Even though, recently, gradient NC hydrogels have been fabricated to study and screen cell–biomaterial interactions and cellular processes e.g. migration, adhesion, alignment, differentiation, proliferation in a single biomaterial with respect to different conditions within the gradient NC hydrogel network, they are still far from being able to mimic physical and chemical gradient nature of native ECM.…”

Deep Learning for Flow Sculpting: Insights into Efficient Learning using Scientific Simulation Data

“…Although novel in their application, these use cases utilize simple micropillar sequence designs (e.g., forming an encapsulating stream, or shifting fluid to one side of a microchannel). More complex fluid flow shapes could lead to powerful new technologies in the aforementioned fields, for example: fabricated microparticles could be designed for optimal packing efficiency, or to focus with directed orientation to specific locations within a microchannel for improved on-chip cytometry10; porous hydrogel could be designed to reduce wound healing time11, or study cell growth and chemotaxis12. These are perhaps more obvious applications of flow sculpting, but as more disciplines and industries are exposed to the technique, new possibilities are expected to abound.…”