title: Zwitterionic hydrogels implanted in mice resist the foreign-body reaction.
abstract: The performance of implantable biomedical devices is impeded by the foreign-body reaction, which results in formation of a dense collagenous capsule that blocks mass transport and/or electric communication between the implant and the body. No known materials or coatings can completely prevent capsule formation. Here we demonstrate that ultra-low-fouling zwitterionic hydrogels can resist the formation of a capsule for at least 3 months after subcutaneous implantation in mice. Zwitterionic hydrogels also promote angiogenesis in surrounding tissue, perhaps owing to the presence of macrophages exhibiting phenotypes associated with anti-inflammatory, pro-healing functions. Thus, zwitterionic hydrogels may be useful in a broad range of applications, including generation of biocompatible implantable medical devices and tissue scaffolds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Jean-Rene
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ella-Menye
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Irvin
authors.forename: Buddy D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Ratner
authors.forename: Shaoyi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D026921:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000276:immunology*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D026921:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels