Journal Article

Enhancing Biopolymer Hydrogel Functionality through Interpenetrating Networks

Dhand, Abhishek P., Galarraga, Jonathan H., Burdick, Jason A.

2021

Overview

Traditional hydrogels are strong candidates for biomedical applications; however, they may suffer from drawbacks such as weak mechanics, static properties, and an inability to fully replicate aspects of the cellular microenvironment. These challenges can be addressed through the incorporation of second networks to form interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels. The objective of this review is to establish clear trends on the enhanced functionality achieved by incorporating secondary networks into traditional, biopolymer-based hydrogels. These include mechanical reinforcement, ‘smart’ systems that respond to external stimuli, and the ability to tune cell–material interactions. Through attention to network structure and chemistry, IPN hydrogels may advance to meet challenging criteria for a wide range of biomedical fields. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex assembly of biopolymers, the organization and composition of which combine to provide structural, mechanical, and biochemical signals to cells. Although single network hydrogels recapitulate features of the ECM, further advancements are needed to expand their functionality for many applications.Incorporation of secondary networks into biopolymer hydrogels imparts mechanical reinforcement, the ability to respond to stimuli, and increased mimicry of the ECM. These interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels are promising for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and in vitro disease models for drug discovery and screening.Addition of a second network makes conventional hydrogels amenable to many emerging biofabrication techniques geared towards achieving hierarchical architectures and personalized medicine.

• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Biocompatibility / Biological activity / Biomedical materials / Biomedical Technology - trends / Biopolymers / Biopolymers - metabolism / biotechnology / Cartilage / cellular microenvironment / cell–material interactions / Crack propagation / double networks / External stimuli / Hydrogels / Hydrogels - metabolism / Internal Medicine / interpenetrating network hydrogels / Interpenetrating networks / Mechanical properties / mechanical reinforcement / mechanics / Microenvironments / Molecular weight / Networks / Polymer blends / Polymerization / Polymers / stimuli-responsive materials / Tissue engineering