Granular Biomaterials as Bioactive Sponges for the Sequestration and Release of Signaling Molecules
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Date
2024-10-07
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
A major challenge for the regeneration of chronic wounds is an underlying dysregulation of signaling molecules, including inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. To address this, it is proposed to use granular biomaterials composed of jammed microgels, to enable the rapid uptake and delivery of biomolecules, and provide a strategy to locally sequester and release biomolecules. Sequestration assays on model biomolecules of different sizes demonstrate that granular hydrogels exhibit faster transport than comparable bulk hydrogels due to enhanced surface area and decreased diffusion lengths. To demonstrate the potential of modular granular hydrogels to modulate local biomolecule concentrations, microgel scaffolds are engineered that can simultaneously sequester excess pro-inflammatory factors and release pro-healing factors. To target specific biomolecules, microgels are functionalized with affinity ligands that bind either to interleukin 6 (IL-6) or to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Finally, disparate microgels are combined into a single granular biomaterial for simultaneous sequestration of IL-6 and release of VEGF-A. Overall, the potential of modular granular hydrogels is demonstrated to locally tailor the relative concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors.
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Publication status
published
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Journal / series
Volume
13 (25)
Pages / Article No.
2400800
Publisher
Wiley-VCH
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Edition / version
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Software
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Date collected
Date created
Subject
biomaterials; biomolecule release; biomolecule sequestration; cytokines; granular hydrogels; immunomodulation; wound healing
Organisational unit
03914 - deMello, Andrew / deMello, Andrew
09472 - Tibbitt, Mark / Tibbitt, Mark