Controlled scaffold degradation is a critical design criterion for the clinical success of tissue-engineered constructs. Here, we exploited a biomimetic poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel system immobilized with tethered YRGDS as the cell adhesion ligand and with either single (SSite) or multiple (MSite) collagenase-sensitive domains between crosslinks, to systematically study th...

To develop materials with improved controllability and specificity, we have investigated composite hydrogels with temperature-sensitive properties using photo cross-linking. Specifically, our novel composite materials are composed of nanoparticles made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), temperature-sensitive hydrogels, and a photo cross-linker, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). P...

Stimuli-sensitive hydrogel microspheres or microgels are polymeric particles that consist of cross-linked three-dimensional networks. They shrink or swell significantly by expelling or absorbing large amounts of water in response to external stimuli, such as changes in temperature, pH, electric or magnetic fields. The chemical composition of the microgel determines the stimulus that can trigger...

Lymphatic dysfunction is associated with the progression of many cardiovascular disorders due to their role in maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis. Promoting new lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) is a promising strategy to reverse these cardiovascular disorders via restoring lymphatic function. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) members VEGF-C and VEGF-D are both potent candidates f...

The relatively weak mechanical properties of hydrogels remain a major drawback for their application as load-bearing tissue scaffolds. Previously, we developed cell-laden double-network (DN) hydrogels that were composed of photocrosslinkable gellan gum (GG) and gelatin. Further research into the materials as tissue scaffolds determined that the strength of the DN hydrogels decreased when they w...

Introduction Biomaterial strategies for engineering tissues of clinically relevant size require the formation of rapid and stable neovascularization. The ability of an engineered scaffold to induce vascularization is highly dependent on its degradation rate. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in mediating cell-induced proteolytic matrix degradation, remodeling and controlle...

Purpose: To fabricate and evaluate oral 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid hydrogels as a drug delivery system for sustained release of nicorandil. Methods: HEMA-co-AA hydrogels using different monomer concentrations were prepared by free radical polymerization. N, N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA) was used as crosslinker and potassium persulphate (KPS) as initiator. Nicorandil (20 mg) ...