Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 6.2.
Schematic route of enzyme-triggered cross-linking of
Tetronic-TA conjugate and images showing gelation. (a, b) Each solution
contains HRP or H
2
O
2
; (c) inversed vial contains hydrogel. See also Color
Insert.
by HRP (Fig. 6.2). The gelation time, degradation, and mechanical
propertieswerecharacterized.
45
Unlikepreviousstudies,conjugates
of a synthetic four-arm amphiphilic copolymer (Tetronic) with TA
were designed with various terminal links of the amphiphile to
control the degradation of hydrogels. The utilization of synthetic
polymers as a backbone chain resulted in strengthened mechanical
properties as well as the simplified modulation of gelation and
degradation. Our group also evaluated the effects of hydrogen
peroxide and HRP on cytotoxicity under the condition of a cell-
encapsulated culture for biomedical applications and revealed the
nontoxic level of hydrogen peroxide and the nontoxic nature of HRP
in cell culture (Fig. 6.3).
On the basis of this study, our efforts have been concentrated
on the development of more tissue-compatible hydrogels in order
to utilize injectable biomaterials for versatile biomedical applica-
tions.Infurtherstudies,phenolderivativesofnaturalpolymerswere
cross-linked with Tetronic-TA to prepare hydrogels with improved
biocompatibility (Fig. 6.4).
46
Combining HA or gelatin with the
Tetronic-based hydrogel resulted in a significant improvement in
biocompatibility. In addition, a route for the
in situ
conjugation of
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