title: Photocrosslinkable and elastomeric hydrogels for bone regeneration.
abstract: Nanocomposite biomaterials are extensively investigated for cell and tissue engineering applications due their unique physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Here, we investigated the mechanical, rheological, and degradation properties of photocrosslinkable and elastomeric nanocomposite hydrogels from nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). The addition of nHAp resulted in a significant increase in mechanical stiffness and physiological stability. Cells readily adhere and proliferate on the nanocomposite surfaces. Cyclic stretching of cells on the elastomeric nanocomposites revealed that nHAp elicited a stronger alignment response in the direction of strain. In vitro studies highlight enhanced bioactivity of nanocomposites as determined by alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity. Overall, the elastomeric and photocrosslinkable nanocomposite hydrogels can be used for minimally invasive therapy for bone regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.
authors.forename: Teena
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.
authors.forename: Janet R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.
authors.forename: Manish K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jaiswal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mondragon
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaunas
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.|Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.|Center for Remote Health Technologies and Systems, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843.
authors.forename: Akhilesh K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gaharwar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D020724:Elastomers; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D051379:Mice; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D020724:Elastomers; D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers; C036925:elastomeric polymer; D005780:Gelatin; D017886:Durapatite
keywords: hydrogels; hydroxyapatite nanoparticles; mechanical properties; nanocomposite; tissue engineering