Directing tissue regeneration via hyaluronic acid hydrogel scaffolds

Comprehensive regeneration therapies should provide a bioactive, degradable support structure as well as promote the ingrowth of new blood vessels and nerves. The ultimate goal of our research is to synthesize a biomimetic tissue engineering hydrogel that will promote rapid incorporation of the scaffold with the host´s vascular and nervous systems. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring non-immunogenic polymer, is inherently angiogenic and involved with neural development and regeneration. HA presents unique advantages due to its ease of production and modification, hydrophilic and nonadhesive character, natural biodegradation and prominent role in scar-free wound healing. Therefore, the aim of the research presented here is to utilize HA´s distinctive advantages to create a novel scaffold suitable for supporting angiogenesis and neurite outgrowth. We have chemically modified HA with methacrylate groups and used photo-initiated polymerization to synthesize cross-linked HA hydrogels, resulting in a selection of materials that span a range of physiochemical and biochemical properties. In vitro and in vivo studies have been used to assess the hydrogels´ potential to support angiogenesis and nerve repair. Finally, we seek to modify HA´s non-adhesiveness through the addition of bioactive sequences to tune the specific cellular responses to the material.