Injectable Hydrogels by Enzymatic Co‐Crosslinking of Dextran and Hyaluronic Acid Tyramine Conjugates

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, injectable hydrogels were prepared by the horseradish peroxidase mediated co‐crosslinking of dextran‐tyramine (Dex‐TA) and hyaluronic acid‐tyramine (HA‐TA) conjugates intended for cartilage tissue engineering. In general the gelation times of 10 wt% polysaccharide solutions are < 20 seconds and their storage moduli can be adjusted by varying the composition between Dex‐TA and HA‐TA. Dex‐TA/HA‐TA (50/50) hydrogels were fully degradable in the presence of hyaluronidase. Chondrocytes incorporated in 10 wt% Dex‐TA and Dex‐TA/HA‐TA (50/50) gels showed good viability after 28 days. These results indicate that Dex‐TA/HA‐TA (50/50) hydrogels are promising injectable and biodegradable hydrogels for cartilage repair.