Synthesis and in vitro Evaluation of Thermosensitive PLA-g-P(HEM-co-NIPAAM) Hydrogel Used for Delivery of VEGF

Abstract

Bone has self-healing potential, but this characteristic is limited and requires external intervention. Bone formation is a dynamic process influenced by various growth factors. Angiogenesis is a fundamental phase and essential in the early stages of bone regeneration. Because of insufficient vascularization within osteoconductive or osteoinductive bone scaffolds, VEGF can be loaded into the scaffolds structure to induce blood vessels throughout engineered tissue. For this propose, PLA-g-P(HEM-co-NIPAAM) copolymers with HEMA:NIPAAm ratio of 1:1 and 1:5 are synthesized, and their biocompatibility, swelling, and vascular endothelial growth factor release properties are investigated. The hydrogels were biocompatible, and the cell attachment and growth were increased facing these hydrogels. The swelling performance of the synthesized hydrogels is increased by increasing the PHEMA ratio in the copolymer, which leads to high loading capacity. Different specifications for percent released over different time periods were achieved for the as-synthesized hydrogel, which will play a powerful role in bone regeneration in the near future.