Poster Presenter

In situ Forming Heparin-Conjugated PLGA-PEG-PLGA Hydrogels for Controlled Release of Growth Factors
Eugene Lih, Yoon Ki Joung, Ki Dong Park
Republic of Korea

In situ forming hydrogels have been studied as injectable drug delivery carrier for the controlled release of bioactive molecules, including therapeutic peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Recently, a number of studies on these hydrogel systems are focused on localized delivery vehicle for tissue engineering which can effectively carry cell-signaling molecules. Heparin is well known to have the binding affinity with a number of biologically important proteins such as growth factors and cytokines, thereby controlling cellular behaviors. Herein, we present an in situ forming heparin conjugated PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogels as bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Heparin-conjugated hydrogels were simply prepared via Michael-type addition between thiolated heparin and PLGA-PEG-PLGA diacrylate. The thiolated heparin and PLGA-PEG-PLGA diacrylate were characterized including physico-chemical properties and biological activities, respectively. Phase diagram of hydrogels was recorded by vial tilting method and heparin release study from the hydrogels was performed in vitro. Obtained results demonstrated that in situ forming heparin-conjugated hydrogels can be suggested as bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery including controlled release of growth factors. Acknowledgement: This work was supported by a grant from Nano-biotechnology Project (Regenomics), Ministry of Science & Technology, Republic of Korea (B020214).