Injectable DMEM-induced phenylboronic acid-modified hyaluronic acid self-crosslinking hydrogel for potential applications in tissue repair

Abstract

Most of traditional injectable hydrogels based on light curing or enzyme crosslinking are difficult to control the crosslinking time accurately and lack tissue adhesion, which leads to difficult clinical application and poor tissue repair effect. In this study, a novel injectable DMEM (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium)-induced phenylboronic acid-modified hyaluronic acid self-crosslinking hydrogel was designed and prepared by combining the phenylboronic acid and a diol on hyaluronic acid as the main network, in which dynamically reversible phenylboronic acid esters imparted good self-healing properties and tissue adhesion properties to the hydrogels. Cell medium that induced the formation of the hydrogel could simulate the pH of the physiological environment and provide uniform nutrients for the encapsulated cells. In addition, in vitro cell experiments indicated that the DMEM-induced phenylboronic acid-modified hyaluronic acid self-crosslinking hydrogel was capable of supporting cell loading and proliferation, thus being a promising candidate for tissue repair materials.