Inorganic/Biopolymers Hybrid Hydrogels Dual Cross-Linked for Bone Tissue Regeneration

• Published in: Gels Vol. 8; no. 12; p. 762
• Main Authors: Cernencu, Alexandra I, Dinu, Andreea I, Dinescu, Sorina, Trușcă, Roxana, Istodorescu, Mircea, Lungu, Adriana, Stancu, Izabela C, Iovu, Horia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 23.11.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: 3-dimensional reinforcement; Biocompatibility; Biological products; Biomedical materials; Biomimetics; Biopolymers; Bones; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; Conjugation; Crosslinked polymers; Crosslinking; Deformation; Design; Gelatin; Hydrogels; Investigations; Mechanical properties; Mineralization; Modulus of elasticity; Nanocomposites; Nanofibers; Nanoparticles; nanostructures; Natural polymers; Pectin; Photochemical reactions; polymer–matrix composites; Polysaccharides; Proteins; Regeneration (physiology); Scaffolding; Silicon compounds; Tissue engineering; Romania; nanostructures; polymer–matrix composites; 3-dimensional reinforcement
• ISSN: 2310-2861; 2310-2861
• DOI: 10.3390/gels8120762

In tissue engineering, the potential of re-growing new tissue has been considered, however, developments towards such clinical and commercial outcomes have been modest. One of the most important elements here is the selection of a biomaterial that serves as a "scaffold" for the regeneration process. Herein, we designed hydrogels composed of two biocompatible natural polymers, namely gelatin with photopolymerizable functionalities and a pectin derivative amenable to direct protein conjugation. Aiming to design biomimetic hydrogels for bone regeneration, this study proposes double-reinforcement by way of inorganic/biopolymer hybrid filling composed of Si-based compounds and cellulose nanofibers. To attain networks with high flexibility and elastic modulus, a double-crosslinking strategy was envisioned-photochemical and enzyme-mediated conjugation reactions. The dual cross-linked procedure will generate intra- and intermolecular interactions between the protein and polysaccharide and might be a resourceful strategy to develop innovative scaffolding materials.