Abstract
Considering the potential of hydrogels to mimic the cellular microenvironment, methacryloyl gelatin (GelMA) and methacryloyl mucin (MuMA) were selected and compared as bioinspired coatings for commercially available polypropylene (PP) meshes for ventral hernia repair. Thin, elastic hydrated hydrogel layers were obtained through network-forming photo-polymerization, after immobilization of derivatives on the surface of the PP fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) proved the successful coating while the surface morphology and homogeneity were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The stability of the hydrogel layers was evaluated through biodynamic tests performed on the coated meshes for seven days, followed by inspection of surface morphology through SEM and micro-CT. Taking into account that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may improve healing due to its high concentration of growth factors, this extract was used as pre-treatment for the hydrogel coating to additionally stimulate cell interactions. The performed advanced characterization proved that GelMA and MuMA coatings can modulate fibroblasts response on PP meshes, either as such or supplemented with PRP extract as a blood-derived bioactivator. GelMA supported the best cellular response. These findings may extend the applicative potential of functionalized gelatin opening a new path on the research and engineering of a new generation of bioactive meshes.
Highlights
With over 1 million repair interventions performed annually worldwide, abdominal hernia represents one of the most common surgical problems [1,2]
A zero-length crosslinking system (EDC/NHS) was used to chemically attach the protein of interest onto the PP surface, while a stable layer of hydrogel was expected to form through free radical polymerization of C=C bonds from methacryloyl groups using photo-initiation
The presence of the protein coating on the PP meshes was proved by attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) (Figure 1b)
Summary
With over 1 million repair interventions performed annually worldwide, abdominal hernia represents one of the most common surgical problems [1,2]. While the synthetic frame provides the optimal mechanical properties, a naturally-derived coating or side layer might promote enhanced tissue integration. Hydrogel coatings based on naturally-occurring polymers, chemically attached to a substrate represent an appealing route of providing a stable biocompatible and cell-interactive surface [9]. Such hydrated microenvironments recalling the properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are often appealing for additional loading with bioactive molecules such as antibiotics [10], antimicrobial agents [11] or growth factors [12] to further enhance the integration phenomena. Methacryloyl derivatives of proteins, and methacryloyl functionalized gelatins, are increasingly used in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications due to their ability to be further polymerized while maintaining the biocompatibility of the pristine protein
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