Injectable, degradable, and mechanically adaptive hydrogel induced by L-serine and allyl-functionalized chitosan with platelet-rich plasma for treating intrauterine adhesions

• Published in: Acta biomaterialia 2024-08, Vol.184, p.144-155
• Main Authors: Lv, Hongyi, Xu, Ruijuan, Xie, Xiangyan, Liang, Qianqian, Yuan, Wanting, Xia, Yuting, Ao, Xue, Tan, Shiqiao, Zhao, Lijuan, Wu, Jinrong, Wang, Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allyl functionalized chitosan; Injectable hydrogel; Intrauterine adhesions treatment; L‑serine; Platelet-rich plasma
• ISSN: 1742-7061; 1878-7568; 1878-7568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.06.043

The integration of barrier materials with pharmacological therapy is a promising strategy to treat intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). However, most of these materials are surgically implanted in a fixed shape and incongruence with the natural mechanical properties of the uterus, causing poor adaptability and significant discomfort to the patients. Herein, an injectable, biodegradable, and mechanically adaptive hydrogel loaded with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is created by L‑serine and allyl functionalized chitosan (ACS) to achieve efficient, comfortable, and minimally invasive treatment of IUAs. L‑serine induces fast gelation and mechanical reinforcement of the hydrogel, while ACS introduces, imparting a good injectability and complaint yet strong feature to the hydrogel. This design enables the hydrogel to adapt to the complex geometry and match the mechanical properties of the uterine. Moreover, the hydrogel exhibits proper degradability, sustained growth factors (GFs) of PRP release ability, and good biocompatibility. Consequently, the hydrogel shows promising therapeutic efficacy by reducing collagen fiber deposition and facilitating endometrium cell proliferation, thereby restoring the fertility function of the uterus in an IUAs model of rats. Accordingly, the combination of L‑serine and ACS-induced hydrogel with such advantages holds great potential for treating IUAs. This research introduces a breakthrough in the treatment of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) with an injectable, biodegradable and mechanically adaptive hydrogel using L‑serine and allyl functionalized chitosan (ACS). Unlike traditional surgical treatments, this hydrogel uniquely conforms to the uterus's geometry and mechanical properties, offering a minimally invasive, comfortable, and more effective solution. The hydrogel is designed to release growth factors from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) sustainably, promoting tissue regeneration by enhancing collagen fiber deposition and endometrium cell proliferation. Demonstrated efficacy in a rat model of IUAs indicates its great potential to significantly improve fertility restoration treatments. This advancement represents a significant leap in reproductive medicine, promising to transform IUAs treatment with its innovative approach to achieving efficient, comfortable, and minimally invasive therapy. [Display omitted]