Network connectivity, mechanical properties and cell adhesion for hyaluronic acid/PEG hydrogels

Sihem Ouasti, Roberto Donno, Francesco Cellesi, Michael J. Sherratt, Giorgio Terenghi, Nicola Tirelli

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    Abstract

    The study aimed to explore the influence of the network architecture on the mechanical properties and degradability of HA/PEG gels, and to highlight the relationship between Young's modulus and cell colonization with a selected architecture. Three different families of hyaluronic acid (HA)-based photopolymerized PEG diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels were compared, using different concentrations and molecular weights (64 and 234 kDa) of HA: semi-IPNs containing native HA in a PEG network (type I gels); co-networks obtained using thiolated HA as chain transfer agent during PEGDA polymerization (type II gels); co-networks obtained from the in situ preparation of a macromonomer derived from the Michael-type addition of thiolated HA on PEGDA (type III gels). From a comparative study of rheological properties and enzymatic degradability, type II gels were selected for a further study aiming to link their mechanical properties to cell spreading. Employing RGD-functionalized materials, Young's moduli were measured via AFM nanoindentation while the cell spreading behavior was quantitatively evaluated by monitoring morphology and metabolic activity (MTS assay) of L929 fibroblasts. By revealing a clear relation between increasing modulus and increasing cell spreading/proliferation, the study showed the possibility to fine tune the cell/material interactions with appropriate reactive processing techniques. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)6456-6470
    Number of pages14
    JournalBiomaterials
    Volume32
    Issue number27
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

    Keywords

    • Cell spreading
    • Fibroblasts
    • Hyaluronic acid
    • Nanoindentation
    • Photopolymerization

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