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Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2023) | Viewed by 20282

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Wei Wei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
Interests: biomaterials; hydrogels; 3D printing/bioprinting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on “Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine” is dedicated to recent developments from theoretical, fundamental, experimental and applicable aspects to the synthesis and characterization of functional hydrogels that have potential for tissue engineering and regeneration medicine. Within this context, a broad range of subjects, including hydrogel design, hydrogel with cells, in vivo animal studies, and clinical trials will be discussed.

Hydrogel is a class of biomaterial that could mimic the features of natural tissues such as viscoelasticity and high water content. Hydrogels are also able to deliver cells and molecules (drugs and growth factors) to promote tissue repair and tissue regeneration. Therefore, the developments of functional hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are promising to solve problems in clinic.

We look forward to the submission of new concepts and results of functional hydrogels used for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Reviews that summarize the recent developments of functional hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are also welcome. It is hoped that this Special Issue will stimulate new research and discoveries in the field of functional biomaterials.

Prof. Dr. Wei Wei
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogel
  • tissue engineering
  • regeneration medicine
  • advanced functions
  • 3D printing
  • bioprinting

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5352 KiB  
Article
Development of a Nanoparticle System for Controlled Release in Bioprinted Respiratory Scaffolds
by Amanda Zimmerling, Christina Sunil, Yan Zhou and Xiongbiao Chen
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15010020 - 12 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3049
Abstract
The use of nanoparticle systems for the controlled release of growth factors is a promising approach to mimicking of the biochemical environment of native tissues in tissue engineering. However, sustaining growth factor release inside an appropriate therapeutic window is a challenge, particularly in [...] Read more.
The use of nanoparticle systems for the controlled release of growth factors is a promising approach to mimicking of the biochemical environment of native tissues in tissue engineering. However, sustaining growth factor release inside an appropriate therapeutic window is a challenge, particularly in bioprinted scaffolds. In this study, a chitosan-coated alginate-based nanoparticle system loaded with hepatocyte growth factor was developed and then incorporated into bioprinted scaffolds. The release kinetics were investigated with a focus on identifying the impact of the chitosan coating and culture conditions. Our results demonstrated that the chitosan coating decreased the release rate and lessened the initial burst release, while culturing in dynamic conditions had no significant impact compared to static conditions. The nanoparticles were then incorporated into bioinks at various concentrations, and scaffolds with a three-dimensional (3D) structure were bioprinted from the bioinks containing human pulmonary fibroblasts and bronchial epithelial cells to investigate the potential use of a controlled release system in respiratory tissue engineering. It was found that the bioink loaded with a concentration of 4 µg/mL of nanoparticles had better printability compared to other concentrations, while the mechanical stability of the scaffolds was maintained over a 14-day culture period. The examination of the incorporated cells demonstrated a high degree of viability and proliferation with visualization of the beginning of an epithelial barrier layer. Taken together, this study demonstrates that a chitosan-coated alginate-based nanoparticle system allows the sustained release of growth factors in bioprinted respiratory tissue scaffolds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
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11 pages, 4835 KiB  
Article
Theta-Gel-Reinforced Hydrogel Composites for Potential Tensile Load-Bearing Soft Tissue Repair Applications
by Charenpreet Virdi, Zufu Lu, Hala Zreiqat and Young Jung No
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(6), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14060291 - 24 May 2023
Viewed by 2022
Abstract
Engineering synthetic hydrogels for the repair and augmentation of load-bearing soft tissues with simultaneously high-water content and mechanical strength is a long-standing challenge. Prior formulations to enhance the strength have involved using chemical crosslinkers where residues remain a risk for implantation or complex [...] Read more.
Engineering synthetic hydrogels for the repair and augmentation of load-bearing soft tissues with simultaneously high-water content and mechanical strength is a long-standing challenge. Prior formulations to enhance the strength have involved using chemical crosslinkers where residues remain a risk for implantation or complex processes such as freeze-casting and self-assembly, requiring specialised equipment and technical expertise to manufacture reliably. In this study, we report for the first time that the tensile strength of high-water content (>60 wt.%), biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels can exceed 1.0 MPa through a combination of facile manufacturing strategies via physical crosslinking, mechanical drawing, post-fabrication freeze drying, and deliberate hierarchical design. It is anticipated that the findings in this paper can also be used in conjunction with other strategies to enhance the mechanical properties of hydrogel platforms in the design and construction of synthetic grafts for load-bearing soft tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
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21 pages, 3653 KiB  
Article
Ketoprofen-Based Polymer-Drug Nanoparticles Provide Anti-Inflammatory Properties to HA/Collagen Hydrogels
by Norbert Halfter, Eva Espinosa-Cano, Gloria María Pontes-Quero, Rosa Ana Ramírez-Jiménez, Christiane Heinemann, Stephanie Möller, Matthias Schnabelrauch, Hans-Peter Wiesmann, Vera Hintze and Maria Rosa Aguilar
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(3), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14030160 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
Current limitations of wound dressings for treating chronic wounds require the development of novel approaches. One of these is the immune-centered approach, which aims to restore the pro-regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties of macrophages. Under inflammatory conditions, ketoprofen nanoparticles (KT NPs) can reduce pro-inflammatory [...] Read more.
Current limitations of wound dressings for treating chronic wounds require the development of novel approaches. One of these is the immune-centered approach, which aims to restore the pro-regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties of macrophages. Under inflammatory conditions, ketoprofen nanoparticles (KT NPs) can reduce pro-inflammatory markers of macrophages and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines. To assess their suitability as part of wound dressings, these NPs were combined with hyaluronan (HA)/collagen-based hydro- (HGs) and cryogels (CGs). Different HA and NP concentrations and loading techniques for NP incorporation were used. The NP release, gel morphology, and mechanical properties were studied. Generally, colonialization of the gels with macrophages resulted in high cell viability and proliferation. Furthermore, direct contact of the NPs to the cells reduced the level of nitric oxide (NO). The formation of multinucleated cells on the gels was low and further decreased by the NPs. For the HGs that produced the highest reduction in NO, extended ELISA studies showed reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory markers PGE2, IL-12 p40, TNF-α, and IL-6. Thus, HA/collagen-based gels containing KT NPs may represent a novel therapeutic approach for treating chronic wounds. Whether effects observed in vitro translate into a favorable profile on skin regeneration in vivo will require rigorous testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
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17 pages, 3360 KiB  
Article
Cytotoxicity and Biomineralization Potential of Flavonoids Incorporated into PNVCL Hydrogels
by Gabriela Pacheco de Almeida Braga, Karina Sampaio Caiaffa, Rafaela Laruzo Rabelo, Vanessa Rodrigues dos Santos, Amanda Caselato Andolfatto Souza, Lucas da Silva Ribeiro, Emerson Rodrigues de Camargo, Anuradha Prakki and Cristiane Duque
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(3), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14030139 - 2 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1477
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of flavonoids incorporated into poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) hydrogel on cell viability and mineralization markers of odontoblast-like cells. MDPC-23 cells were exposed to ampelopsin (AMP), isoquercitrin (ISO), rutin (RUT) and control calcium hydroxide (CH) for evaluation of cell [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of flavonoids incorporated into poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) hydrogel on cell viability and mineralization markers of odontoblast-like cells. MDPC-23 cells were exposed to ampelopsin (AMP), isoquercitrin (ISO), rutin (RUT) and control calcium hydroxide (CH) for evaluation of cell viability, total protein (TP) production, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule deposition by colorimetric assays. Based on an initial screening, AMP and CH were loaded into PNVCL hydrogels and had their cytotoxicity and effect on mineralization markers determined. Cell viability was above 70% when MDPC-23 cells were treated with AMP, ISO and RUT. AMP showed the highest ALP activity and mineralized nodule deposition. Extracts of PNVCL+AMP and PNVCL+CH in culture medium (at the dilutions of 1/16 and 1/32) did not affect cell viability and stimulated ALP activity and mineralized nodules’ deposition, which were statistically higher than the control in osteogenic medium. In conclusion, AMP and AMP-loaded PNVCL hydrogels were cytocompatible and able to induce bio-mineralization markers in odontoblast-cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
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16 pages, 3046 KiB  
Article
BMSCs-Seeded Interpenetrating Network GelMA/SF Composite Hydrogel for Articular Cartilage Repair
by Kaiwen Zheng, Xu Zheng, Mingzhao Yu, Yu He and Di Wu
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14010039 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2762
Abstract
Because of limited self-healing ability, the treatment of articular cartilage defects is still an important clinical challenge. Hydrogel-based biomaterials have broad application prospects in articular cartilage repair. In this study, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)and silk fibroin (SF) were combined to form a composite hydrogel [...] Read more.
Because of limited self-healing ability, the treatment of articular cartilage defects is still an important clinical challenge. Hydrogel-based biomaterials have broad application prospects in articular cartilage repair. In this study, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)and silk fibroin (SF) were combined to form a composite hydrogel with an interpenetrating network (IPN) structure under ultraviolet irradiation and ethanol treatment. Introducing silk fibroin into GelMA hydrogel significantly increased mechanical strength as compressive modulus reached 300 kPa in a GelMA/SF-5 (50 mg/mL silk fibroin) group. Moreover, composite IPN hydrogels demonstrated reduced swelling ratios and favorable biocompatibility and supported chondrogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) at day 7 and day 14. Additionally, significantly higher gene expressions of Col-2, Acan, and Sox-9 (p < 0.01) were found in IPN hydrogel groups when compared with the GelMA group. An in vivo study was performed to confirm that the GelMA-SF IPN hydrogel could promote cartilage regeneration. The results showed partial regeneration of cartilage in groups treated with hydrogels only and satisfactory cartilage repair in groups of cell-seeded hydrogels, indicating the necessity of additional seeding cells in hydro-gel-based cartilage treatment. Therefore, our results suggest that the GelMA/SF IPN hydrogels may be a potential functional material in cartilage repair and regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
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15 pages, 4490 KiB  
Article
Performance of Colombian Silk Fibroin Hydrogels for Hyaline Cartilage Tissue Engineering
by Augusto Zuluaga-Vélez, Carlos Andrés Toro-Acevedo, Adrián Quintero-Martinez, Jhon Jairo Melchor-Moncada, Francisco Pedraza-Ordoñez, Enrique Aguilar-Fernández and Juan Carlos Sepúlveda-Arias
J. Funct. Biomater. 2022, 13(4), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb13040297 - 14 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1954
Abstract
The development and evaluation of scaffolds play a crucial role in the engineering of hyaline cartilage tissue. This work aims to evaluate the performance of silk fibroin hydrogels fabricated from the cocoons of the Colombian hybrid in the in vitro regeneration of hyaline [...] Read more.
The development and evaluation of scaffolds play a crucial role in the engineering of hyaline cartilage tissue. This work aims to evaluate the performance of silk fibroin hydrogels fabricated from the cocoons of the Colombian hybrid in the in vitro regeneration of hyaline cartilage. The scaffolds were physicochemically characterized, and their performance was evaluated in a cellular model. The results showed that the scaffolds were rich in random coils and β-sheets in their structure and susceptible to various serine proteases with different degradation profiles. Furthermore, they showed a significant increase in ACAN, COL10A1, and COL2A1 expression compared to pellet culture alone and allowed GAG deposition. The soluble portion of the scaffold did not affect chondrogenesis. Furthermore, they promoted the increase in COL1A2, showing a slight tendency to differentiate towards fibrous cartilage. The results also showed that Colombian silk could be used as a source of biomedical devices, paving the way for sericulture to become a more diverse economic activity in emerging countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
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Review

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18 pages, 1915 KiB  
Review
3D Bioprinting Technology and Hydrogels Used in the Process
by Tainara de P. L. Lima, Caio Augusto d. A. Canelas, Viktor O. C. Concha, Fernando A. M. da Costa and Marcele F. Passos
J. Funct. Biomater. 2022, 13(4), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb13040214 - 3 Nov 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6083
Abstract
3D bioprinting has gained visibility in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to its applicability. Over time, this technology has been optimized and adapted to ensure a better printability of bioinks and biomaterial inks, contributing to developing structures that mimic human anatomy. Therefore, [...] Read more.
3D bioprinting has gained visibility in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to its applicability. Over time, this technology has been optimized and adapted to ensure a better printability of bioinks and biomaterial inks, contributing to developing structures that mimic human anatomy. Therefore, cross-linked polymeric materials, such as hydrogels, have been highly targeted for the elaboration of bioinks, as they guarantee cell proliferation and adhesion. Thus, this short review offers a brief evolution of the 3D bioprinting technology and elucidates the main hydrogels used in the process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
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