Oxidized dextran/amino gelatin/hyaluronic acid semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels for tissue engineering application

In our previous study, oxidized dextran/amino gelatin (ODex/MGel) self-crosslinking hydrogels have been successfully prepared. Though their potential applications as in situ forming scaffolds for tissue engineering have been verified, the subcellular porosities of hydrogel networks which were induced by the intensity chemical crosslinking still pose a barrier for cells migration and proliferation within the hydrogels. The objective of this study was to develop an approach to accelerate cellular remodeling by preparing semi-interpenetrating networks (semi-IPNs) composed of ODex, MGel, and sodium hyaluronic (HA). Results showed that the addition of HA at the concentrations of 0.09% and 0.18% can greatly promote pre-osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) cells spreading throughout the ODex/MGel hydrogel networks. Therefore, these semi-IPNs hydrogels could be useful matrixes for cell transplantation in a variety of tissue engineering applications.