Regenerative histogenesis in a skeletal muscle defect with local implantation of gene-activated hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid in the experiment

Abstract

Optimization of the reparative regeneration of striated skeletal muscle tissue is actual for clinical practice. Volumetric muscle loss usually heals through the fibrous scar formation. Herein, there are numerous of methods under developed focused on reparative myogenesis induction. One of the promising approaches in this area is formed by gene-activated materials, particularly, in the hydrogel form. We developed a gene-activated hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid and plasmid DNA with the gene of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Firstly, we showed a biocompatibility of the product in the subcutaneous test in mice. Using marker plasmid DNA carrying the luciferase gene, prolonged delivery of gene constructs to cells in vivo with a peak in transgene expression at day 7 was confirmed, while the same plasmid DNA in an aqueous solution provided a maximum level of delivery at day 1. Being implanted into a volumetric defect of the anterior tibial muscle in rats the gene-activated hydrogel activated angiogenesis in 2 weeks after surgery and induced MYH7B+-muscle fibers formation in the central zone of the defect at average number 50,0±16,1 and 21,8±10,5 in 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, whereas a hydrogel without plasmid DNA did not have any myogenic effects. Thus, plasmid DNA with VEGFA in the sodium alginate-based hydrogel induced angiogenesis in the volumetric muscle loss model and stimulated reparative myogenesis that could be used for further development of products effective for treatment of patients with muscle pathology.