Biofunctionalized Hydrogels for Intestinal Epithelial Stem Cell Delivery

摘要

We have engineered biofunctionalized PEG hydrogels that support intestinal enteroid survival, expansion, and differentiation. Also, we have engineered hydrogel polymerization conditions in order to successfully deliver liquid hydrogel precursors to the mouse colon during a colonoscopy, and polymerization of the hydrogel to retain the delivered components at the injection site. This synthetic hydrogel platform is innovative as it offers precise control over the material's physical (mechanical properties, permeability, water swelling) and biochemical (adhesive peptide type and density, protease-dependent degradation via the type of cross-linking peptide, growth factor incorporation) properties. This study is expected to provide potential therapeutic options for epithelial engraftment in wounds to promote repair and eventually serve as a critical solution for the aforementioned pathological states.