title: Photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogels functionalized with the RGD peptide and phosphoserine to enhance osteogenesis.
abstract: Hydrogels derived from naturally occurring polymers are attractive matrix for tissue engineering. Here, we report a biofunctional hydrogel for specific use in bone regeneration by introducing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing cell adhesive motifs and phosphorylated serine residues, which are prevalent in native bone extracellular matrix and known to promote osteogenesis by enhancing cell-matrix interactions and hydroxyapatite nucleation, into photopolymerizable methacrylated glycol chitosan (MeGC). Incorporation of phosphoserine into MeGC hydrogels increased the ability of the hydrogels to nucleate mineral on their surfaces. RGD incorporation enhanced cell-matrix interactions by supporting attachment, spreading, and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) encapsulated in the hydrogels. Moreover, co-modification of MeGC hydrogels with RGD and phosphoserine synergistically increased osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated BMSCsin vitro. The bone healing capacity of the modified hydrogels was further confirmed in a mouse calvarial defect model. These findings suggest a promising hydrogel platform with a specific microenvironment tailored to promote osteogenesis for clinical bone repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Soyon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Zhong-Kai
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Jiabing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Armita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fartash
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Aghaloo
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee