Comparison of Release Profiles of Various Growth Factors from Biodegradable Carriers

Abstract

AbstractA biodegradable hydrogel was prepared by glutaraldehyde crosslinking of acidic gelatin with an isoelectric point (IEP) of 5.0 as a carrier to release basic growth factors on the basis of polyion complexation. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) were sorbed from their aqueous solution into the dried gelatin hydrogels to prepare respective growth factor-incorporating hydrogels. Under an in vitro non-degradation condition, approximately 20 % of incorporated bFGF and TGF-β1 was released from the hydrogels within initial 40 min, followed by no further release, whereas a large initial release of BMP-2 was observed. After subcutaneous implantation of the gelatin hydrogels incorporating 125I-labeled growth factor in the mouse back, the remaining radioactivity was measured to estimate the in vivo release profile of growth factors. Incorporation into gelatin hydrogels enabled bFGF and TGF-β1 to retain in the body for about 15 days and the retention period well correlated with that of the gelatin hydrogel. Taken together, it is likely that the growth factors ionically complexed with acidic gelatin were released in vivo as a result of hydrogel biodegradation. On the contrary, basic BMP-2 did not ionically interact with acidic gelatin, resulting in no sustained released by the present biodegradable carrier system.