Strong and Biostable Hyaluronic Acid-Calcium Phosphate Nanocomposite Hydrogel via in Situ Precipitation Process

Biomacromolecules. 2016 Mar 14;17(3):841-51. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01557. Epub 2016 Feb 15.

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HAc) hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility, but it has limited biomedical application due to its poor biomechanical properties as well as too-fast enzymatic degradation. In this study, we have developed an in situ precipitation process for the fabrication of a HAc-calcium phosphate nanocomposite hydrogel, after the formation of the glycidyl methacrylate-conjugated HAc (GMHA) hydrogels via photo-cross-linking, to improve the mechanical and biological properties under physiological conditions. In particular, our process facilitates the rapid incorporation of calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles of uniform size and with minimal agglomeration into a polymer matrix, homogeneously. Compared with pure HAc, the nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit improved mechanical behavior. Specifically, the shear modulus is improved by a factor of 4. The biostability of the nanocomposite hydrogel was also significantly improved compared with that of pure HAc hydrogels under both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / adverse effects
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry
  • Cell Line
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hydrogels / adverse effects
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Nanocomposites / adverse effects
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Hydrogels
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • calcium phosphate