Enzymatically cross-linked hydrogels based on a linear poly(ethylene glycol) analogue for controlled protein release and 3D cell culture

Abstract

, respectively. The hydrogels were further demonstrated as protein drug and cell carriers using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lentivirus-mediated LifeAct-EGFP overexpressed human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs-LifeAct-EGFP), respectively. The BSA-loaded hydrogel systems exhibited a sustained drug release over 3 weeks; the encapsulated hMSCs showed good viability over all time points assessed. Consequently, the current study opens new avenues for the design of PEG-based injectable hydrogels and the PEGDA-DTT-HPA hydrogel has great potential for applications in drug delivery, 3D cell culture and tissue regeneration.