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Abstract

We report a biocompatible and in situ cross-linkable hydrogel derived from hyaluronic acid via a bioorthogonal reaction and confirm the clinical potential of our hydrogel through in vivo cartilage regeneration. Gelation is attributed to copper-free click reactions between an azide and dibenzyl cyclooctyne. HA-PEG4-DBCO was synthesized and cross-linked via 4-arm PEG azide. The effects of the ratio of HA-PEG4-DBCO to 4-arm PEG azide on the gelation time, microstructure, surface morphology, equilibrium swelling, and compressive modulus were examined. The potential of a hydrogel as an injectable scaffold was demonstrated by the encapsulation of chondrocytes within the hydrogel matrix in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that the hydrogel supported cell survival, and the cells regenerated cartilaginous tissue. In addition, these characteristics provide potential opportunities for the use of injectable hydrogels in tissue engineering applications.

Author affiliations

Sang-Soo Han,a  Hong Yeol Yoon,b  Ji Young Yhee,b  Myeong Ok Cho,ac  Hye-Eun Shim,a  Ji-Eun Jeong,ad  Dong-Eun Lee,e  Kwangmeyung Kim,b  Hwanuk Guim,f  John Hwan Lee,g  Kang Moo Huh*c  and  Sun-Woong Kang*ad 

*Corresponding authors

a Predictive Model Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Korea

b Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea

c Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea E-mail: khuh@cnu.ac.kr 

d Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology Program, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Korea  E-mail: swkang@kitox.re.kr 

e Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Korea

f Center for Electron Microscopy Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon, Korea

g Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea