Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Development Of A Cell-Based Regenerative Strategy To Modulate Angiogenesis And Inflammation In Ischemic Muscle, Fiona E. Serack

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The delivery of human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) to ischemic tissues represents a promising strategy to promote vascular regeneration for patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). This thesis focused on the evaluation of hydrogels to enhance the retention and pro-angiogenic capacity of hASCs following delivery in vivo. Additionally, priming strategies to augment the paracrine function of hASCs were developed and assessed.

Recognizing the importance of endogenous macrophages in the pro-regenerative function of hASCs, delivery using a previously-developed hydrogel system, composed of peptide-functionalized methacrylated glycol chitosan (MGC-RGD) and a copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PEG(PTMC-A)₂), was …

Conducting Polypyrrole Hydrogel Biomaterials For Drug Delivery And Cartilage Tissue Regeneration, Iryna Liubchak

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Articular cartilage tissue has limited capacity for self-regeneration leading to challenges in the treatment of joint injuries and diseases such as osteoarthritis. The tissue engineering approach combines biomaterials, cells and bioactive molecules to provide a long-term and stable cartilage repair. In the following work, electroactive polymer polypyrrole~(PPy) was incorporated into the synthetic hydrogel to enhance the mechanical properties of the material for cartilage applications. PPy was loaded with drug compound and the \emph{on demand} drug release was demonstrated. The composite PPy hydrogel was 3D printed using stereolithography to create a porous tissue engineering scaffold. Biocompatibility and cell adhesion to the …

Design Of Cell-Instructive Biomaterial Scaffolds For Intervertebral Disc Regeneration, Nadia Sharma

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Biomaterials-based therapies targeting the nucleus pulposus (NP) have the potential to promote regeneration and restore mechanical function to the intervertebral disc. This study developed composite hydrogels incorporating decellularized NP (DNP) and assessed its effects on viability, retention and differentiation of U-CH1 cells, an NP progenitor-like cell line. A minimal protocol was developed to decellularize bovine NP that reduced nuclear content while preserving key extracellular matrix components predicted to be favourable for bioactivity. The resulting DNP demonstrated cell-instructive effects, supporting U-CH1 viability and retention within the hydrogels, and promoted the differentiation of the progenitor-like cells towards an NP-like phenotype. These studies …

Development Of In Situ Forming Hydrogels For Intra-Articular Drug Delivery, Andy Prince

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Hydrogels are 3-dimensional crosslinked polymer networks that can absorb significant amounts of water. The physical properties associated with hydrogels affords them resemblance to biological tissues making them good candidates for biomedical applications. Many pharmaceuticals, specifically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have poor aqueous solubility, which limits their bioavailability and efficacy. People suffering from chronic osteoarthritis (OA) are required to frequently take large doses to mitigate pain, which can lead to serious side effects. Hydrogels are good strategies to deliver NSAIDs via articular injection because they can form solid gels in situ. This thesis describes the synthesis, formulation, mechanical testing, in …