Gelatin-based Hydrogels
We are exploring gelatin-based hydrogels for various biomedical applications. We are interested in hydrogels for:
- drug delivery systems
- wound healing patches
- scaffolds for 3D cell cultures and tissue engineering applications
To improve their biocompatibility, we are utilizing naturally derived polymeric biomaterials such as chitosan, collagen, and gelatin as starting materials for our custom hydrogels. Using materials that are naturally found in nature, and even within our own bodies, greatly reduces the foreign body reaction.
Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)
Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) photocrosslinks effectively, making it a widely used biomaterial in tissue engineering due to its favorable biological attributes and customizable physical and mechanical traits. Although GelMA is compatible with various cell types, it elicits distinct cellular responses within GelMA hydrogels, necessitating tailored hydrogels for specific applications.
Our objective is to develop GelMA hydrogels optimized to enhance cell viability, specifically for TC28a2 chondrocytes in a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture setting. [1] We are investigating GelMA synthesis using PBS and 0.25M CB buffer, analyzing the mechanical and physical traits of GelMA hydrogels, and evaluating how varying GelMA crosslinking conditions (GelMA concentration, photoinitiator concentration, and UV exposure time) affect the viability of TC28a2 chondrocytes.
Our results reveal that GelMA synthesis using 0.25M CB buffer leads to a greater degree of methacrylation compared to PBS buffer, and the LAP photoinitiator demonstrates superior efficacy for GelMA gelation compared to Irgacure 2959. Additionally, GelMA concentration predominantly affects the stiffness, porosity, and swelling degree of GelMA hydrogels, while cell viability is impacted by all crosslinking conditions, notably decreasing with increasing GelMA concentration, photoinitiator concentration, and UV exposure time. This study facilitates the optimization of crosslinking conditions to enhance cell viability within GelMA hydrogels, a critical aspect for diverse biomedical applications.
Read our publication related to this research:
GelMA-Alginate Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease characterized by irreversible cartilage degradation. Current clinical treatment options lack effective pharmaceutical interventions targeting the disease’s root causes. Hydrogel-based 3D in vitro models have shown promise as preclinical testing platforms due to their resemblance to the native extracellular matrix (ECM), abundant availability, and ease of use.
Hydrogel Composition and Properties:
This study employs a GelMA-alginate interpenetrating network hydrogel to create an OA model induced by cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). GelMA (gelatin methacryloyl) is a photocrosslinkable hydrogel derived from gelatin, offering excellent biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties that closely resemble the natural ECM found in human cartilage. Its ability to support cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation makes it an ideal candidate for 3D cell culture and tissue engineering applications.
Sodium alginate (SA) is a biocompatible polysaccharide derived from seaweed, known for its superior water retention capacity and gel-forming ability under mild conditions. When combined with GelMA, sodium alginate enhances the stability and mechanical strength of the hybrid hydrogel while maintaining a hydrated microenvironment conducive to cell survival and ECM synthesis. Additionally, sodium alginate serves as an effective reservoir for growth factors or therapeutic agents, enabling the sustained release and localized delivery of compounds within the hydrogel matrix.
Research Findings:
The study focused on testing MMP-13 inhibitors using this GelMA-alginate hydrogel-based OA model. The results demonstrated a significant inhibition of type II collagen breakdown by measuring C2C concentration using ELISA after treatment with MMP-13 inhibitors. However, inconsistencies in human cartilage explant samples led to inconclusive results.
Nonetheless, the research highlights the GelMA-alginate hydrogel-based OA model as an effective alternative to human-sourced cartilage explants for in vitro drug screening. The synergistic properties of GelMA and sodium alginate provide a biomimetic environment with customizable mechanical properties, high water retention, and support for cell encapsulation and viability, making it a promising platform for cartilage tissue engineering and drug testing applications.
Read the full study here:
Q. Hu, S.L. Williams, A. Palladino, M. Ecker, Screening of MMP-13 Inhibitors Using a GelMA-Alginate Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel-Based Model Mimicking Cytokine-Induced Key Features of Osteoarthritis In Vitro. Polymers 2024, 16, 1572. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111572