title: A Moldable Nanocomposite Hydrogel Composed of a Mussel-Inspired Polymer and a Nanosilicate as a Fit-to-Shape Tissue Sealant.
abstract: The engineering of bioadhesives to bind and conform to the complex contour of tissue surfaces remains a challenge. We have developed a novel moldable nanocomposite hydrogel by combining dopamine-modified poly(ethylene glycol) and the nanosilicate Laponite, without the use of cytotoxic oxidants. The hydrogel transitioned from a reversibly cross-linked network formed by dopamine-Laponite interfacial interactions to a covalently cross-linked network through the slow autoxidation and cross-linking of catechol moieties. Initially, the hydrogel could be remolded to different shapes, could recover from large strain deformation, and could be injected through a syringe to adhere to the convex contour of a tissue surface. With time, the hydrogel solidified to adopt the new shape and sealed defects on the tissue. This fit-to-shape sealant has potential in sealing tissues with non-flat geometries, such as a sutured anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1480-6940
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4647-6541
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA.
authors.forename: Zichen
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6578-0752
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA.
authors.forename: Ni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA.
authors.forename: Wonyoung
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4138-9027
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce P
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6529-0032
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D013499:Surface Properties; D014014:Tissue Adhesives
chemical_list: D017640:Silicates; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C524813:laponite
keywords: biomimetic synthesis; gels; moldability; polymer-nanoparticle bonds; tissue sealants