Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erwan Nicol
Summary: Hydrogels, highly swollen polymeric networks, are versatile materials mimicking biological tissues, making them interesting for biomedical applications. Porosity control plays a crucial role in determining transport properties and cell fate. Photopolymerization is a powerful and versatile synthetic route for generating hydrogels with controlled porosity, with applications in controlled release and tissue engineering.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jiayue Shi, Lin Yu, Jiandong Ding
Summary: This paper outlines the recent progress of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogels in the biomedical field, emphasizing their potential applications in drug release and cell growth. Thermosensitive hydrogels with designed and regulated properties exhibit excellent biocompatibility and degradability, providing a demonstration for the design of new thermogelling systems.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ao Sun, Xinye He, Xiao Ji, Danrong Hu, Meng Pan, Linghong Zhang, Zhiyong Qian
Summary: Photopolymerized hydrogels, with their special formation, can effectively control the formation of hydrogels and are widely used in tissue engineering due to their mild conditions and biocompatibility. They can be applied in cell encapsulation, scaffold materials, and other tissue engineering fields with advanced manufacturing methods.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sandra Haas, Saskia Koerner, Laura Zintel, Juergen Hubbuch
Summary: Hydrogels based on renewable resources are promising materials for pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, and personalized medicine. The mechanical properties of these hydrogels, such as storage modulus and elasticity, can be adjusted by changing the accessibility of tyrosine residues and the composition of buffer systems and protein concentration.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam Kasinski, Monika Zielinska-Pisklak, Sebastian Kowalczyk, Andrzej Plichta, Anna Zgadzaj, Ewa Oledzka, Marcin Sobczak
Summary: The paper developed injectable, thermosensitive smart hydrogel local drug delivery systems releasing the model antitumour drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The biodegradable triblock copolymers synthesized through ring opening polymerization showed a sharp sol-gel transition at physiological temperature, with good mechanical properties at 37°C. In vitro release kinetics characterization indicated good control, with a total drug release time of approximately 12 hours.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mithun Rajendra Dethe, A. Prabakaran, Hafiz Ahmed, Mukta Agrawal, Upal Roy, Amit Alexander
Summary: Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been extensively studied in biomedical applications due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. The emergence of in situ stimuli-responsive hydrogels is the result of advancements in synthetic chemistry and materials science. The copolymer PCL-PEG, recognized by the FDA, can form thermosensitive injectable hydrogels that exhibit rapid and reversible gelation behavior.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaohui Wu, Xin Wang, Xiaobin Chen, Xiaowei Yang, Qian Ma, Guohua Xu, Lin Yu, Jiandong Ding
Summary: A novel macromolecular contrast agent was designed to enhance the X-ray opacity of polymer hydrogels for visualization in deep tissues. In a mouse model, the injection morphology and degradation process of the hydrogels could be monitored non-invasively using Micro-CT imaging, demonstrating the ability to track and quantify degradation in vivo.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Guido Creusen, Ricarda Sophia Schmidt, Andreas Walther
Summary: This study introduces a one-component DNA mechanoprobe that can be easily polymerized into polymer networks for strain-induced fluorescence sensing. The system overcomes the limitations of classical multicomponent designs and can be used for the design of complex objects or even 3D printing.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Amr H. Hashem, Tawfik A. Khattab, Samir Kamel
Summary: Nowadays, the combination of biomedical research and material sciences has led to the development of smart materials that can effectively solve microbial contamination problems. In this study, a new drug delivery platform composed of sodium alginate, beta-carboxyethyl acrylate, and acrylamide was prepared and characterized. Swelling studies showed that the hydrogel without drugs had a higher swelling rate compared to drug-loaded hydrogels. The hydrogel demonstrated a pH-dependent drug release rate and exhibited comparable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains when encapsulating 9-AA or KS. The cytocompatibility study indicated negligible to tolerable toxicity for the drug-loaded hydrogel, and the cell viability for the blank hydrogel was 92.5%, suggesting its suitability for biomedical applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qiaomei Tang, Bing Lu, Jian He, Xiao Chen, Qiuli Fu, Haijie Han, Chenqi Luo, Houfa Yin, Zhenwei Qin, Danni Lyu, Lifang Zhang, Min Zhou, Ke Yao
Summary: In this study, a novel approach based on exosomes and a thermosensitive hydrogel was developed for the treatment of corneal diseases. This method effectively reduces scar formation and accelerates the healing process by promoting the repair of damaged corneal epithelium and stromal layer.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Changfa Sun, Wenjie Liu, Lili Wang, Run Meng, Jia Deng, Rui Qing, Bochu Wang, Shilei Hao
Summary: Infectious wounds pose significant challenges in clinical practice and developing new antibiotics has become increasingly difficult. In this study, a K31-PGLa hydrogel was designed and synthesized, which demonstrated synergistic effects with commercial antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria by down-regulating efflux pump synthesis genes. Furthermore, the photopolymerized K31-PGLa/PEGDA hydrogels effectively inhibited the growth of drug-resistant bacteria and promoted skin wound closure in mice.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Loncarevic, Zoran Malbasa, Marin Kovacic, Karla Ostojic, Ange Angaits, Zeljko Skoko, Joanna Szpunar, Inga Urlic, Gloria Gallego Ferrer, Anamarija Rogina
Summary: Polymer hydrogels crosslinked by therapeutic metal ions have gained attention for their unique properties. Chitosan hydrogels have been widely studied in biomedical applications. This study investigated the properties of bimetallic-chitosan complex hydrogels with different cupric and zinc ions content. The results showed changes in morphology, formation of bimetallic-chitosan aerogels, decreased swelling ability and increased shear modulus with higher Cu content, and a strong physical crosslink between metal ions and chitosan chains.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Wen-Wen Song, Zhi-Gang Qian, Hao Liu, Hai-Feng Chen, David L. Kaplan, Xiao-Xia Xia
Summary: This study presents a genetic fusion strategy to regulate the dual thermal transitions of the C-terminal domain of spider major ampullate spidroin 1, enabling the construction of hydrogels with potential applications in cell preservation and delivery.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammad Norouzi, Javad Firouzi, Niloufar Sodeifi, Marzieh Ebrahimi, Donald W. Miller
Summary: Local drug delivery approaches using Pluronic and PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymers for salinomycin in the treatment of glioblastoma showed that Pluronic exhibited better efficacy, biocompatibility, drug release profile, and cytotoxicity enhancement compared to PLGA-PEG-PLGA. Animal studies further demonstrated a significant reduction in tumor growth using Pluronic + salinomycin hydrogel, suggesting its potential as a localized treatment option for glioblastoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Li Ma, Tong Shi, Zhaoyun Zhang, Xixi Liu, Hui Wang, Richard G. Weiss
Summary: Thermosensitive hydrogels have potential applications as fire extinguishing agents, but their slow response rate and wettability limitations need to be addressed. In this study, a thermosensitive porous system was synthesized by adding Na2CO3/CH3COOH as a foaming agent into a mixture of HPMC/PEG/CS. Different concentrations of the system were obtained by diluting the concentrate with water. The systems with a concentration greater than 15 wt% exhibited outstanding thermosensitivity and coagulability. The 20 wt% system showed the best spreadability and wettability on wood surfaces, and had a significant decrease in adhesive force and surface-free energy.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paree Khokhani, Nada R. Rahmani, Anne Kok, F. Cumhur Oner, Jacqueline Alblas, Harrie Weinans, Moyo C. Kruyt, Michiel Croes
Summary: Therapeutic pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) ligands have shown potential in skewing immune responses in a specific direction. Nucleic acid-based ligands were found to enhance early osteogenic differentiation without affecting osteoclast formation, making them promising osteo-immunomodulators for bone biomaterials.
Article
Polymer Science
Erik R. Hebels, Marzieh Najafi, Joep van den Dikkenberg, Nataliia Beztsinna, Sanne van de Looij, Danny Wilbie, Johannes Meeldijk, Mathew Hembury, Tina Vermonden
Summary: Gold nanoclusters exhibit attractive luminescent properties in the near-infrared spectrum, making them promising for biomedical imaging and therapy applications. A micellar system designed in this study, decorated with AuNCs and thiolated doxorubicin, allows for precise intracellular imaging and light-induced cell killing, showcasing an innovative hybrid material for efficient live imaging and controlled therapy.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Martina Viola, Susanna Piluso, Jurgen Groll, Tina Vermonden, Jos Malda, Miguel Castilho
Summary: Biofabrication uses additive manufacturing techniques to create 3D structures that mimic physiological cellular environments and promote the growth of native tissues. Recent approaches integrate multiple technologies and materials of different length scales to enhance construct functionality. The review critically examines the interfaces between different material phases in fabricated structures, emphasizing their impact on the mechanical and biological properties of the engineered structures.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Sanne M. van de Looij, Erik R. Hebels, Martina Viola, Mathew Hembury, Sabrina Oliveira, Tina Vermonden
Summary: Over the past two decades, atomic gold nanoclusters have shown promising applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment, with their native luminescent properties and the use of active targeting strategies contributing to their extensive potential in biomedical imaging and therapy.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carl C. L. Schuurmans, Arwin J. Brouwer, Jacobus A. W. Jong, Geert-Jan P. H. Boons, Wim E. Hennink, Tina Vermonden
Summary: This study investigates the hydrolytic stability of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) methacrylate (MA) hydrogels. It was found that hydrogels made with glycidyl methacrylate-derivatized CS (CSGMA) degraded in a pH-dependent manner, while HA methacrylate (HAMA) hydrogels remained stable. The absence of hydrogen bonds in CS(G)MA may lead to higher chain flexibility and hydration, increasing its sensitivity to ester hydrolysis.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Katrin Agnes Muenzebrock, Valerie Kersten, Jacqueline Alblas, Joao Pedro Garcia, Laura B. Creemers
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease with a significant impact on health. Co-culture models play an important role in studying the disease and simulating processes such as inflammation and degenerative stimuli. However, the current co-culture models do not fully mimic the in vivo pathophysiology of osteoarthritis.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Blessing C. Ilochonwu, Marko Mihajlovic, Roel F. Maas-Bakker, Charis Rousou, Miao Tang, Mei Chen, Wim E. Hennink, Tina Vermonden
Summary: This study aims to develop a degradable in situ forming hydrogel that can be injected into the vitreous cavity for sustained release of therapeutic antibodies to treat retinal diseases. Through systematic experiments and analysis, the most suitable hydrogel formulation was identified and its effectiveness and bioactivity in vivo were demonstrated.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matt Timmers, Jimmy Weterings, Michiel Van Geijn, Roel Bell, Peter E. Lenting, Cristianne J. F. Rijcken, Tina Vermonden, Wim E. Hennink, Rob M. J. Liskamp
Summary: Core-cross-linked polymeric micelles (CCPMs) are a promising nanoparticle platform for sustained drug release. This study investigates the suitability of trityl-based linkers for acid-triggered release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from CCPMs, and finds that the reaction mechanism of trityl deprotection plays an important role in the API release kinetics.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Pavel Yanev, Geralda A. F. van Tilborg, Kristel W. M. Boere, Ann M. Stowe, Annette van der Toorn, Max A. Viergever, Wim E. Hennink, Tina Vermonden, Rick M. Dijkhuizen
Summary: Researchers have developed a noninvasive MRI method to monitor the release of proteins from hydrogels in vitro and in vivo. The study showed that the release of proteins and the volume expansion of hydrogels differed significantly between in vitro and in vivo experiments, with higher concentration hydrogels releasing more protein and expanding more in size in vivo. This study provides insights for the development and optimization of drug delivery systems for brain disorders.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mithila Burute, Klara I. Jansen, Marko Mihajlovic, Tina Vermonden, Lukas C. Kapitein
Summary: This study reveals the importance of microtubule network mobility in the process of neuronal polarization, which is regulated by Rho GTPase signaling and extracellular cues. The differences in microtubule mobility determine the ability of Kinesin-1 to enter specific neurites, thus affecting the polarization specificity of neurons. These findings provide new insights into the cytoskeletal mechanism of neuronal polarization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Coraline Chartier, Sytze Buwalda, Blessing C. Ilochonwu, Helene Van Den Berghe, Audrey Bethry, Tina Vermonden, Martina Viola, Benjamin Nottelet, Tatiana Budtova
Summary: Porous chitosan materials were prepared as wound dressings by dissolving chitosan, inducing phase separation, forming a hydrogel, and drying through freeze-drying or supercritical CO(2) drying. The loaded drug, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, showed different release behavior from cryogels and aerogels based on the drying method, physicochemical properties, and pH of the release medium. Cryogels had higher loading efficiency and faster release compared to aerogels. The release kinetics were influenced by sample density and pH for aerogels, while cryogels were not significantly affected.
Article
Polymer Science
Myriam Neumann, Greta di Marco, Dmitrii Iudin, Martina Viola, Cornelus F. van Nostrum, Bas G. P. van Ravensteijn, Tina Vermonden
Summary: In the past decade, stimuli-responsive hydrogels have gained increasing attention in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. These smart hydrogels can replicate the physicochemical properties of the extracellular matrix and mimic dynamic processes that regulate cell behavior. By controlling the hydrogel properties or applying localized triggers, swelling-shrinking, shape-morphing, and patterns can be achieved to influence cell function in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. Additionally, stimuli-responsive hydrogels show great potential as bioinks for 4D bioprinting, enabling the fabrication of complex microstructures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matt Timmers, Wouter Peeters, Niels J. Hauwert, Cristianne J. F. Rijcken, Tina Vermonden, Ingrid Dijkgraaf, Rob M. J. Liskamp
Summary: The site-specific attachment of the reactive TMTHSI-click handle to the N-terminus of peptides and proteins is described in this article. The resulting constructs can be used in strain-promoted azide alkyne cycloaddition for reaction with azide-containing proteins. The article also discusses the N-terminal specific attachment of the reactive TMTHSI-click handle to peptides and proteins, followed by strain-promoted cycloaddition with azide-containing peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, or other azide compounds.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ada Annala, Blessing C. Ilochonwu, Danny Wilbie, Amir Sadeghi, Wim E. Hennink, Tina Vermonden
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop an injectable hydrogel delivery system for sustained ocular delivery of dexamethasone. The hydrogel consisting of a thermosensitive ABA triblock copolymer was designed and showed injectability, long-lasting release of dexamethasone, and good cytocompatibility. This delivery system is an attractive candidate for treating ocular inflammatory diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marzieh Najafi, Mehdi Habibi, Remco Fokkink, Wim E. Hennink, Tina Vermonden
Summary: In this study, the temperature-dependent behavior of dense dispersions of core crosslinked flower-like micelles was investigated. Results showed that below the critical solution temperature, micelles displayed hydration of the core, leading to an increase in radius and glassy state behavior at certain concentrations. The findings provide insights for the molecular design of novel thermosensitive PNIPAM nanoparticles with tunable structural and mechanical properties.
