Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate (meth)acrylate-based hydrogels for tissue engineering: Synthesis, characteristics and pre-clinical evaluation

Hydrogels based on photocrosslinkable Hyaluronic Acid Methacrylate (HAMA) and Chondroitin Sulfate (CSMA) are presently under investigation for tissue engineering applications. HAMA CSMA gels offer tunable characteristics such as tailorable mechanical properties, swelling characteristics, enzymatic degradability. This review gives an overview of the scientific literature published regarding pre-clinical development covalently crosslinked hydrogels that (partially) and/or CSMA. Throughout review, recommendations next steps in clinical translation or made potential pitfalls defined. Specifically, a myriad different synthetic routes to obtain polymerizable hyaluronic acid chondroitin sulfate derivatives described. The effects important parameters degree (meth)acrylation molecular weight synthesized polymers formed discussed useful analytical techniques their characterization summarized. Furthermore, including degradability discussed. Finally, summary several recent applications these applied fields cartilage cardiac regeneration advanced modelling is presented.