A Shear-thinning Hydrogel That Extends In Vivo Bioactivity of Therapeutic Proteins
This technology employs a unique combination of synthetic silicate nanoplatelets and heparin to form a shear-thinning hydrogel by simple mixing within one minute. The nanoplatelets create a “house-of-cards” structure through electrostatic face-to-edge interactions while heparin establishes reversible non-covalent crosslinks that stabilize therapeutic proteins. Adjustable gelation is achieved by tuning the heparin-to-nanoplatelet ratio and overall solid concentration, enabling controlled and sustained release of proteins such as FGF2. Its favorable rheological properties support easy injection and complete biodegradation in vivo within eight weeks, with minimal inflammation.
Description
The system stands out due to its use of FDA-approved components and rapid, catalyst-free self-assembly, addressing key challenges in current protein delivery platforms. This approach not only ensures precise spatial-temporal control over protein release but also maintains protein bioactivity by protecting against proteolytic degradation. The tunable network provides a versatile platform that can be adapted for multiple therapeutic applications, including tissue regeneration and angiogenesis enhancement, making it a significant advancement compared to conventional delivery systems that often rely on toxic crosslinkers or less controllable release profiles.Applications
- Injectable protein delivery- Tissue regeneration scaffold
- Angiogenesis stimulation therapy
- Wound healing hydrogel
Advantages
- Rapid self-assembly and simple mixing (≤1 minute) enabling easy preparation and injection.- Sustained and controllable release of therapeutic proteins with tunable gelation through adjustable heparin-to-Laponite ratios.
- Shear-thinning properties that facilitate injectability and conformability to tissue structures.
- Biocompatibility with complete biodegradation in vivo within eight weeks and minimal inflammatory response.
- Utilization of FDA-approved components, ensuring safety and facilitating clinical translation.