Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Acellular and Cellladen Methacrylated Gellan Gum Hydrogels

Abstract

Tissue engineered hydrogels hold great potential as nucleus pulposus substitutes (NP), as they promote intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration and re-establish its original function. But, the key to their success in future clinical applications greatly depends on its ability to replicate the native 3D micro-environment and circumvent their limitation in terms of mechanical performance. In the present study, we investigated the rheological/mechanical properties of both ionic- (iGG-MA) and photo-crosslinked methacrylated gellan gum (phGG-MA) hydrogels. Steady shear analysis, injectability and confined compression stress-relaxation tests were carried out. The injectability of the reactive solutions employed for the preparation of iGG-MA and phGG-MA hydrogels was firstly studied, then the zero-strain compressive modulus and permeability of the acellular hydrogels were evaluated.In addition, human intervertebral disc (hIVD) cells encapsulated in both iGG-MA and phGG-MA hydrogels were cultured in vitro, and its mechanical properties also investigated under dynamic mechanical analysis at 37ºC and pH 7.4. After 21 d of culturing, hIVD cells were alive (Calcein AM) and the E’ of ionic-crosslinked hydrogels and photo-crosslinked was higher than that observed for acellular hydrogels. Our study suggests that methacrylated gellan gum hydrogels present promising mechanical and biological performance as hIVD cells were producing extracellular matrix.

Journal
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part A
Volume
101
Issue
12
Pagination
3438-3446
Publisher
Wiley Periodicals, Inc
URL
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbm.a.34650/abstract
Keywords
Hydrogels, injectability, Mechanical Properties, methacrylated gellan gum, rheology
Rights
Open Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
Year of Publication
2013
Date Published
2013-04-09
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