Zwitterionic hydrogels implanted in mice resist the foreign-body reaction

• Published in: Nature biotechnology Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 553 - 556
• Main Authors: Zhang, Lei, Cao, Zhiqiang, Bai, Tao, Carr, Louisa, Ella-Menye, Jean-Rene, Irvin, Colleen, Ratner, Buddy D, Jiang, Shaoyi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Nature Publishing Group 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral - pharmacology; Animals; Biocompatible Materials - adverse effects; Biocompatible Materials - therapeutic use; Biomedical engineering; Biomedical materials; Foreign-Body Reaction - immunology; Genotype & phenotype; Graft rejection; Health aspects; Hydrogels; Hydrogels - pharmacology; Implants, Artificial; Innovations; Macrophages - immunology; Medical equipment; Mice; Prostheses and Implants - adverse effects; Prosthesis; Transplants & implants; Zwitterions; United States
• ISSN: 1087-0156; 1546-1696
• DOI: 10.1038/nbt.2580

The performance of implantable biomedical devices is impeded by the foreign-body reaction, which results in formation of a dense collagenous capsule that blocks mass transport and/or electric communication between the implant and the body. No known materials or coatings can completely prevent capsule formation. Here we demonstrate that ultra-low-fouling zwitterionic hydrogels can resist the formation of a capsule for at least 3 months after subcutaneous implantation in mice. Zwitterionic hydrogels also promote angiogenesis in surrounding tissue, perhaps owing to the presence of macrophages exhibiting phenotypes associated with anti-inflammatory, pro-healing functions. Thus, zwitterionic hydrogels may be useful in a broad range of applications, including generation of biocompatible implantable medical devices and tissue scaffolds.