Poster Presenter

Injectable bioactive hydrogels based on gelatin and heparin for controlled release of growth factors and tissue regeneration
Kyung Min Park, Yoon Ki Joung, Ki Dong Park
Republic of Korea

Injectable hydrogels are widely studied as biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery due to easy application based on minimally invasive technique. Recently, in situ forming hydrogels formed via enzyme-mediated cross-linking have been investigated due to biocompatibility and easy to control the reaction rate in mild condition. In this study, in situ forming hydrogels based on gelatin and heparin derivatives were developed as an injectable material for controlled release of growth factors and tissue regeneration. The conjugates were synthesized by EDC/NHS chemistry. Their physico-chemical properties were characterized and could be controlled by the variation of catalysts concentrations. In vitro growth factor release study was carried out using bFGF as a model protein. The hydrogels were rapidly formed in presence of horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide. The bFGF was released sustaindely for 30 days and the release behavior could be controlled by varying the heparin derivatives. Obtained results demonstrated that the in situ forming bioactive hydrogels based on gelatin and heparin via enzymatic reaction is a promising material for controlled release of the growth factors and tissue regeneration. Acknowledgement: This work was supported by a grant from The National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (20090085779).