Engineering a sprayable and elastic hydrogel adhesive with antimicrobial properties for wound healing

• Published in: Biomaterials 2017-09, Vol.139, p.229-243
• Main Authors: Annabi, Nasim, Rana, Devyesh, Sani, Ehsan Shirzaei, Portillo-Lara, Roberto, Gifford, Jessie L, Fares, Mohammad M, Mithieux, Suzanne M, Weiss, Anthony S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3T3 Cells; Adhesives - chemistry; Advanced Basic Science; Aerosols - chemistry; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides - chemistry; Antimicrobial hydrogels; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Cross-Linking Reagents - chemistry; Dentistry; Elasticity; Gelatin - chemistry; GelMA; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate - chemistry; Male; Materials Testing; Methacrylates - chemistry; MeTro; Mice; Microbial Viability - drug effects; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Time Factors; Tissue adhesive; Tissue Engineering; Tropoelastin - chemistry; Wound healing; Wound Healing - drug effects
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.05.011

Abstract Hydrogel-based bioadhesives have emerged as alternatives for sutureless wound closure, since they can mimic the composition and physicochemical properties of the extracellular matrix. However, they are often associated with poor mechanical properties, low adhesion to native tissues, and lack antimicrobial properties. Herein, a new sprayable, elastic, and biocompatible composite hydrogel, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, for the treatment of chronic wounds is reported. The composite hydrogels were engineered using two ECM-derived biopolymers, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacryloyl-substituted recombinant human tropoelastin (MeTro). MeTro/GelMA composite hydrogel adhesives were formed via visible light-induced crosslinking. Additionally, the antimicrobial peptide Tet213 was conjugated to the hydrogels, instilling antimicrobial activity against Gram (+) and (−) bacteria. The physical properties (e.g. porosity, degradability, swellability, mechanical, and adhesive properties) of the engineered hydrogel can be fine-tuned by varying the ratio of MeTro/GelMA and the final polymer concentration. The hydrogels supported in vitro mammalian cellular growth in both two-dimensional and three dimensional cultures. The subcutaneous implantation of the hydrogels in rats confirmed their biocompatibility and biodegradation in vivo . The engineered MeTro/GelMA-Tet213 hydrogels can be used for sutureless wound closure strategies to prevent infection and promote healing of chronic wounds.