Characterization of Gel-MA network as a drug carrier for angiogenic growth factors

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: A smart approach to designing vascularized networks is to implement angiogenic growth factors as the fundamental component during hydrogel scaffold synthesis. The main approach to our research can be summarized in two aims: • Specific Aim (1): Fabrication and characterization of the biocompatible hydrogel based on methacrylated gelatin (Gel-MA) and alginate using a combination of chemical and ionic crosslinking. • Specific Aim (2): Assessment of the hydrogel drug delivery properties and its biocompatibility in promoting human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation. METHODS: Photochemical hydrogels were synthesized under UV irradiation using Gel-MA in combination with the polysaccharide, alginate. Gel mechanical properties were influenced by different concentrations of CaCl2, in addition to different times of UV irradiation. Frequency sweep and compressive tests were carried out to test hydrogel mechanical properties. HUVECs were used to test hydrogel biocompatibility and drug release properties. RESULTS: The presence of alginate in the hydrogel network influenced the mechanical properties by increasing the G’ and the Young Modulus as compared to a single network composed of only GelMA. In addition, the optimized hydrogel was able to control the growth factor release over time according to degree of crosslinking. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: The network proposed may be applied as coating for medical devices, which will serve as a drug carrier for angiogenic factors. GRANT SUPPORT: This project was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20 GM103418 and P20 GM103638. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences or the National Institutes of Health.