Jul 2026· Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A· Vol 114 7, pp.
e70097
· 0 citations· 59 references
Medicine
TL;DR
The results show that careful selection and optimization of poloxamer blends allow tailoring material properties for specific biomedical functions, and make them practical for further development in injectable biomaterials and drug delivery systems for osteoarticular repair.
Abstract
Thermoresponsive poloxamers are commonly used in biomedical applications; however, their wider translational applicability depends on precisely controlling sol-gel transition behavior near body temperature while ensuring injectability and a favorable biocompatibility profile. In this study, blends of three clinically relevant poloxamers were evaluated to find formulations suitable for potential injectable meniscal and joint therapies. The rheological properties and temperature-dependent gelation of these formulations were characterized, followed by testing their injectability into meniscal defects and assessing biological responses in vitro. The gelation temperatures reported in this work were operationally defined from viscosity-based temperature sweep measurements. Biocompatibility, cell viability, and migration of outer fibrochondrocytes exposed to selected poloxamer hydrogels were examined to gauge their potential for orthopedic applications. Different material behaviors emerged based on polymer composition. Synperonic F-108 combined with Poloxamer 188 showed decreased adhesiveness and aggregation, along with maintained cell viability after prolonged incubation, indicating potential as a coating material or a general structural matrix. Conversely, blends of Kolliphor K 407 with Poloxamer 188 displayed temperature-dependent increases in viscosity. They formed stable gels at body temperature, maintaining a favorable biological response in direct-contact conditions, which supports their further evaluation in long-term injectable applications with controlled structural stability. These results show that careful selection and optimization of poloxamer blends allow tailoring material properties for specific biomedical functions. The adjustable thermoresponsive behavior, chemical inertness, and simple preparation of these triblock copolymers make them practical for further development in injectable biomaterials and drug delivery systems for osteoarticular repair.
An integrated analysis of gelation kinetics, micellization thermodynamics, and viscoelastic properties (G′, G″) of Pluronic F127-based hydrogels is provided to support the rational design of thermoresponsive hydrogels and identify critical knowledge gaps to guide future research in advanced therapeutic biomaterials.
Sharifah Nafisah Syed Ismail, H. Holilah, Lisman Suryanegara et al.· Polymer Bulletin· 0 citations
Biodegradable hydrogels are injected in situ to create scaffolds in complex tissue defects with a minimally invasive approach. The current narrative review critically discusses their design principles such as polymer type (natural, synthetic and hybrid systems), crosslinking processes (physical, chemical, and self-crosslinking strategies), and optimization of their rheological properties for clinical injectability. Various advanced biofunctionalization strategies such as cell encapsulation, spatiotemporal delivery of growth factors, extracellular matrix mimicry via fiber-reinforced composites, and active immunomodulation are assessed for their application in tissue-specific regeneration in cartilage, bone, cardiac, neural, skin, and dental applications. While there has been significant progress in preclinical work, there are significant translational challenges that remain: mechanical mismatch with load-bearing native tissues, natural polymer batch-to-batch variability, unpredictable degradation rates, and a complex regulatory pathway for combination products. We explore under-explored areas such as 4D bioprinting for dynamic shape morphing, the design of materials through artificial intelligence, and closed-loop theranostic platforms that combine real-time biosensing with on-demand therapeutic release. This review suggests that the interdisciplinary convergence of materials science, bioengineering, and regulatory science is necessary to tackle these challenges and make injectable hydrogels a standard-of-care regenerative therapeutic.
Elnaz Abedini, Daver Ali· Exploration of BioMat-X· 0 citations
Extrusion-based bioprinting imposes stringent mechanical constraints on bioink formulations, yet the rheological parameters governing cell survival during the printing process are rarely reported in a standardized way, limiting cross-study comparison. In this work, we systematically characterized the viscoelastic properties of alginate/methylcellulose bioinks incorporating strontium-enriched hydroxyapatite (Sr-OHAp) particles and Poloxamer 188, and assessed their effect on PANC-1 cell viability in bioprinted constructs. The power law consistency index K and pseudoplasticity index n were used as quantitative descriptors of bioink behavior. Addition of Poloxamer 188 reduced K by 52.1% in particle-free inks and by 64.6% in particle-containing inks, while n remained largely unchanged (≤2% variation), indicating that particles selectively modulate consistency without compromising shear-thinning behavior. On day 1, bioprinted constructs showed lower cell viability than cell-seeded scaffolds (53.9–58.9% vs. 96.7%); however, constructs containing Sr-OHAp (B3) displayed progressive recovery, reaching 84.0% viability by day 7, compared to 72.9% for particle-free bioinks (B1). These results demonstrate that Sr-OHAp particles act as rheological sensitizers that reduce extrusion-induced shear stress while simultaneously promoting long-term cell recovery, likely through their bioactive surface chemistry. We propose that systematic reporting of K and n indices should become standard practice in bioprinting studies to enable rational bioink design and consistent knowledge accumulation across the field.
Fiona Ye Rojo Acero, Daniel F. de Castro Hernández, M. L. Flores-Cedillo et al.· Polymers· 0 citations
3D bioprinting enables the layer-by-layer fabrication of living tissue constructs and supports patient-specific customization. This technology holds strong promises for regenerative medicine and drug discovery. However, its broader translation remains limited by material variability, safety considerations, cost constraints and regulatory requirements. This study investigates the use of safe, affordable and regulatory-compliant pharmaceutical polymers as biomaterials for 3D bioprinting. It specifically focuses on hydrogels formulated from Starch 1500®, maltodextrin and sodium alginate. The objective is to assess their potential applications in skin tissue engineering and oral drug delivery through semisolid extrusion-based 3D bioprinting techniques. Ionic crosslinking of the hydrogel was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The hydrogel exhibited a viscosity of 1.56 × 106 mPa·s, supporting semisolid extrusion bioprinting and excellent printability under ambient conditions. It enabled the fabrication of multilayer scaffolds with uniform filaments, well-defined square pore geometry and good shape fidelity. Rheological analysis showed shear-thinning behavior under applied stress, 87% thixotropic recovery and predominantly solid-like behavior at rest. Cast films showed a tensile strength of 33.9 MPa with limited extensibility, whereas lyophilized scaffolds exhibited high porosity and an average pore size of 39.2 μm. The 3D-printed scaffolds swollen upto 72% within 24 h and showed the onset of degradation after 2 weeks. Biological evaluation confirmed non-cytotoxicity, with more than 70% cell viability in skin-relevant L929 and HaCaT cells and good hemocompatibility, indicated by 5.0% hemolysis. Confocal microscopy further showed cell growth on the crosslinked hydrogel, supporting their potential for skin tissue engineering. Glimepiride-loaded bioinks were successfully formulated into chewable tablets for drug delivery, which exhibited acceptable physical properties. The tablets demonstrated excellent content uniformity (100.4%), while dissolution results showed sustained-release profiles over a time period of four hours. Our research indicates that pharmaceutical-grade polymer-based hydrogels are promising candidates for skin tissue engineering and drug delivery through 3D bioprinting. The findings of this study underscore the potential of these formulations to advance bioprinting technologies and related applications.
H. K. Bankhede, Maheswari Sivaravi, A. P. Raiturker et al.· Journal of Biological Engine...· 0 citations
Injectable hydrogels represent a promising strategy for minimally invasive regenerative medicine, enabling the delivery of biomimetic microenvironments directly to irregular tissue defects. Here, we present a multi-responsive, ECM-like injectable hydrogel based on κ/λ-carrageenan, hyaluronic acid, and type I collagen, designed to combine ion-triggered gelation with ultrasound-activated piezoelectric functionality. Gelation occurs rapidly upon exposure to physiological ions, allowing straightforward injection through fine-gauge needles without the need for external crosslinkers or harsh conditions. The incorporation of submicrometric barium titanate particles confers piezoelectric responsiveness, enabling the conversion of ultrasound-induced mechanical stimuli into localised electrical cues. The resulting hydrogels exhibit mechanical properties (Young's modulus 4-9 kPa) and viscoelastic behaviour comparable to native soft tissues, alongside a highly interconnected porous architecture suitable for mass transport and cell infiltration. In vitro studies demonstrate cytocompatibility with fibroblasts, myoblasts, neuronal-like cells, and macrophages, supporting cell viability and proliferation while promoting a pro-regenerative macrophage phenotype. Preliminary ultrasound stimulation experiments confirm that piezoelectric activation does not impair cell viability, establishing a safe basis for future functional investigations. Overall, this work introduces a user-friendly, cost-effective, and multifunctional injectable hydrogel platform with potential for minimally invasive and remotely activated regenerative therapies.
Arianna Rossi, Noemi Ravaglia, Federica Arienti et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Results establish PDA-mediated non-covalent reinforcement as an effective crosslinker-free strategy for engineering thermoresponsive hydrogels with tunable network mechanics and controllable NIR-responsive drug transport for localized chemo-photothermal therapy.
Danielle Dalman, Quang Nhat Quynh Vo, Abdelrahman I. Rezk et al.· Journal of Colloid and Inter...· 0 citations