OXYGEN-CONTROLLABLE AND HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE HYDROGELS

摘要

Novel hydrogels that can serve as 3D hypoxic microenvironments are disclosed. Oxygen controllable, hypoxia-inducible hydrogels (HI hydrogels) are composed of a phenolic agent and polymer backbone, which can form hydrogel networks via oxygen consumption in an enzyme-mediated crosslinking reaction. The HI hydrogels are degradable, cytocompatible, and have tunable mechanical properties. Oxygen levels and gradients within the HI hydrogels are controlled and precisely predicted. As a result, the HI hydrogels induce prolonged hypoxic conditions. The HI hydrogels guide vascular morphogenesis in vitro by activating hypoxia-inducible factors and promote neovascularization from tissue, as well as stimulate tissue in dynamic in vivo environments. The HI hydrogels are a new class of biomaterials that are useful in many applications, ranging from the engineering of de novo tissues and disease models to the treatment of vascular disorders.

主权项

1. An oxygen-controllable and hypoxia-inducible hydrogel comprising a cross-linked phenolic agent and polymer.