Bioinspired Heparin Nanosponge Prepared by Photo-crosslinking for Controlled Release of Growth Factors

Sci Rep. 2017 Oct 30;7(1):14351. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14040-5.

Abstract

Growth factors have great therapeutic potential for various disease therapy and tissue engineering applications. However, their clinical efficacy is hampered by low bioavailability, rapid degradation in vivo and non-specific biodistribution. Nanoparticle based delivery systems are being evaluated to overcome these limitations. Herein, we have developed a thermosensitive heparin nanosponge (Hep-NS) by a one step photopolymerization reaction between diacrylated pluronic and thiolated heparin molecules. The amount of heparin in Hep-NS was precisely controlled by varying the heparin amount in the reaction feed. Hep-NS with varying amounts of heparin showed similar size and shape properties, though surface charge decreased with an increase in the amount of heparin conjugation. The anticoagulant activity of the Hep-NS decreased by 65% compared to free heparin, however the Hep-NS retained their growth factor binding ability. Four different growth factors, bFGF, VEGF, BMP-2, and HGF were successfully encapsulated into Hep-NS. In vitro studies showed sustained release of all the growth factors for almost 60 days and the rate of release was directly dependent on the amount of heparin in Hep-NS. The released growth factors retained their bioactivity as assessed by a cell proliferation assay. This heparin nanosponge is therefore a promising nanocarrier for the loading and controlled release of growth factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / metabolism
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / chemistry
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Heparin / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Nanoparticles
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / therapeutic use
  • Poloxamer / chemistry
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • BMP2 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Poloxamer
  • Heparin