Living Hydrogels and methods of making and using the same
AssigneeThe Penn State Research Foundation
InventorsAmir Sheikhi, Roya Koshani
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments relate to acellular nanocomposite hydrogels exhibiting extracellular matrix (ECM)-like mechanics and self-healing properties. In particular, embodiments relate to nanocomposite hydrogels including network-forming biopolymers and anisotropic hairy nanoparticle linkers configured to convert the biopolymers to ECM-like analogues via ionic and dynamic covalent bonds. Embodiments further relate to method of forming the nanocomposite hydrogels and to methods of regenerating tissue including integrating the nanocomposite hydrogels with host tissues.
Claims20
An acellular nanocomposite hydrogel comprising:
- a biopolymer comprising a plurality of polymeric chains, wherein the polymeric chains have first active sites and second active sites;
- and
- a plurality of nanoparticle linkers, wherein the linkers comprise cellulose bodies having a plurality cellulose chains protruding from their ends,
- wherein a first portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with first groups configured to bond to the first active sites, and
- wherein a second portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with second groups configured to bond to the second active sites.
An acellular nanocomposite hydrogel comprising:
- a dihydrazide-modified alginate biopolymer comprising a plurality of polymeric chains, wherein the polymeric chains have hydrazide active sites and carboxylate active sites;
- and
- a plurality of nanoparticle linkers, wherein the linkers comprise cellulose bodies having a plurality cellulose chains protruding from their ends,
- wherein a first portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with aldehyde groups configured to bond to the hydrazide active sites, and
- wherein a second portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with carboxylate groups configured to bond to the carboxylate active sites.
A method of forming an acellular nanocomposite hydrogel, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of nanoparticle linkers by:
- oxidizing cellulose bodies to provide dialdehyde modified cellulose bodies,
- oxidizing the dialdehyde modified cellulose bodies to provide further modified cellulose bodies having a plurality cellulose chains protruding from their ends, wherein a first portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with aldehyde groups, and a second portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with carboxylate groups;
- mixing the further modified cellulose bodies with an ionic solution such that the second portion of the cellulose chains are also functionalized with cations;
- mixing the plurality of nanoparticle linkers with a biopolymer comprising a plurality of polymeric chains, having first active sites and second active sites such that the aldehyde groups bond to the first active sites and the carboxylate groups and/or cations bond to the second active sites.
A method of regenerating tissue, the method comprising:
- integrating an acellular nanocomposite hydrogel with a host tissue, wherein the hydrogel comprises
- a biopolymer comprising a plurality of polymeric chains, wherein the polymeric chains have first active sites and second active sites;
- and
- a plurality of nanoparticle linkers, wherein the linkers comprise cellulose bodies having a plurality cellulose chains protruding from their ends,
- wherein a first portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with first groups configured to bond to the first active sites, and
- wherein a second portion of the cellulose chains are functionalized with second groups configured to bond to the second active sites.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.