This biodegradable, antioxidant hydrogel is engineered from a carefully synthesized copolymer produced via free radical polymerization of NIPAAm, VP, MAPLA, and MANHS, followed by covalent bonding with 4-amino-TEMPO to embed antioxidant functionality. It features a polymer backbone with pendant groups that confer thermal responsiveness—remaining a liquid at 4°C for easy injection and rapidly gelling at body temperature (21°C–24°C) due to a hydrophilic-hydrophobic transition. The system degrades through hydrolysis, leading to about a 50% mass loss within two weeks at body temperature, and its antioxidant properties actively scavenge reactive oxygen species, as demonstrated in chemical assays, cell cultures, and a rat myocardial infarction/reperfusion model.
Description
What sets this technology apart is its integration of multiple functionalities in a single platform. The precise copolymer composition allows for predictable gelation and biodegradation kinetics while incorporating TEMPO radicals for sustained antioxidant activity. Furthermore, its MRI visibility permits noninvasive tracking of distribution and concentration, and its dual-action mechanism—providing mechanical support to enhance cardiac structure and reducing oxidative stress—offers a distinctive approach to addressing ischemic tissue damage.
Applications
- Injectable myocardial repair
- Oxidative stress therapy
- MRI-visible hydrogel delivery
- Biodegradable cardiac support
- Ischemic tissue regeneration
Advantages
- Injectable formulation with thermal responsiveness for ease of delivery and rapid in situ gelation.
- Sustained antioxidant activity via covalently-bound TEMPO radicals to effectively scavenge ROS.
- Provides mechanical support to improve myocardial wall integrity and reduce diastolic stress.
- Biodegradable design enabling controlled degradation and clearance from the body.
- MRI visibility for non-invasive tracking and monitoring of hydrogel distribution in tissue.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230149442A1
