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Polymers
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Biomedical Applications of Intelligent Hydrogel 2nd Edition
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Biomedical Applications of Intelligent Hydrogel 2nd Edition

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 5580

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chao Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: biomedical polymer; bioactive material; hydrogel
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Murat Guvendiren

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, NJIT, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
Interests: hydrogels; polymeric biomaterials; 3D bioprinting; biomimetics; stem cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels form the foundation of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as a supportive matrix for cell immobilization and growth factor delivery. Hydrogels, due to their wide range of properties, have been used as an injectable, for in situ gelling, and as patterned matrices, viscous gels, thin sheets, and three-dimensional scaffolds in regenerative medicine to guide and regulate cells’ fate. The development of new intelligent hydrogels is critical to the success of tissue engineering and medical applications, connected with cell cultivation.

The aim of this Special Issue is to focus on hydrogels with a hierarchical structure; self-assembled hydrogels; hybrid and degradable hydrogels; load-bearing and self-healing hydrogels; hydrogels for cell encapsulation and biofabrication; hydrogels for micro-patterning, microfluidic devices, and high-throughput screening; injectable and in situ hardening hydrogels for minimally invasive applications; hydrogels that modulate the body’s immune response; and hydrogel-based delivery systems for spatiotemporal delivery of growth factors. 

Dr. Chao Xu
Dr. Murat Guvendiren
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogels
  • microgels
  • responsive materials
  • injectable
  • self-assembled hydrogels

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2807 KiB  
Article
Biomimetic 3D Hydrogels with Aligned Topography for Neural Tissue Engineering
by Liza J. Severs, Anjali Katta, Lindsay N. Cates, Dane M. Dewees, Riana T. Hoagland, Philip J. Horner, Christoph P. Hofstetter and Zin Z. Khaing
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3556; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243556 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 867
Abstract
Spinal cord trauma leads to the destruction of the highly organized cytoarchitecture that carries information along the axis of the spinal column. Currently, there are no clinically accepted strategies that can help regenerate severed axons after spinal cord injury (SCI). Hydrogels are soft [...] Read more.
Spinal cord trauma leads to the destruction of the highly organized cytoarchitecture that carries information along the axis of the spinal column. Currently, there are no clinically accepted strategies that can help regenerate severed axons after spinal cord injury (SCI). Hydrogels are soft biomaterials with high water content that are widely used as scaffolds to interface with the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we examine a simple and reproducible method that results in consistently aligned fibrils within 3D matrices using thermally gelling biomimetic polymers. A collagen type I (Col)-based thermally gelling hydrogel system was used in combination with two other native extracellular matrix proteins: laminin I (LN) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Gelling kinetics for all gel types (Col, Col LN, Col HA) showed that at 37 °C, all three hydrogels formed gels consistently. A method of aspiration and ejection was used to produce Col-based hydrogels containing aligned fibrils. In vitro, embryonic spinal cord neurons survived and produced processes aligned to collagen fibrils. Next, we implanted either non-aligned or aligned hydrogels after a bilateral dorsal hemisection of the thoracic spinal cord at T7/T8. Pan neuronal antibody-positive fibrils were found within all implants; aligned hydrogels supported neurite growth along the parallel direction of the implanted hydrogels. Combined, our in vitro and in vivo data indicate that thermally gelling biomimetic hydrogels can produce aligned matrices through a method of aspiration and ejection, and this presents a novel platform for regenerative therapies for the CNS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Intelligent Hydrogel 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 4924 KiB  
Article
Folic Acid-Targeted Mixed Pluronic Micelles for Delivery of Triptolide
by Meizhen Yin, Xinying Zhang, Tongguang Zhang, Zhiqiang Bao and Zhihui He
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3485; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243485 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 917
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore an ideal delivery system for triptolide (TPL) by utilizing the thin-film hydration method to prepare drug-loaded, folate-modified mixed pluronic micelles (FA–F-127/F-68–TPL). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that the drug-loaded micelles had a spherical shape [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to explore an ideal delivery system for triptolide (TPL) by utilizing the thin-film hydration method to prepare drug-loaded, folate-modified mixed pluronic micelles (FA–F-127/F-68–TPL). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that the drug-loaded micelles had a spherical shape with a small particle size, with an average of 30.7 nm. Cell viability experiments showed that FA–F-127/F-68–TPL significantly reduced HepG2 cell viability, exhibiting strong cytotoxicity. Its cytotoxicity was markedly enhanced compared with bare TPL. Nile red (Nr) was used as a model drug to prepare FA–F-127/F-68–Nr to further validate its tumor-targeting and cellular uptake capability. After coincubation with HepG2 cells, a multifunctional microplate reader showed that intracellular fluorescence intensity significantly increased, indicating that FA–F-127/F-68–Nr could more effectively enter the cells. A nude mouse model of subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma was constructed. Following tail vein injection of FA–F-127/F-68–Nr, the fluorescence imaging system showed that FA–F127/F-68–Nr could significantly target tumor tissue, and even if entering the small-sized tumor was challenging, it could be excreted through urine. Nude mice with subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with tail vein injections of FA–F-127/F-68–TPL (45 µg/kg) every other day for 21 days. The results showed that the growth of the transplanted tumors was significantly slowed, with no significant difference compared with bare TPL. In summary, the FA–F-127/F-68–TPL exhibits the advantages of low cost, excellent biological properties, active/passive targeting capabilities, notable cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells, and significant inhibition of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma growth. Significantly, the FA–F-127/F-68–TPL, despite challenges in targeting tumors with an insignificant EPR effect, can be efficiently excreted via the kidneys, thereby preventing the release of the drug during prolonged circulation and potential damage to normal tissues. Therefore, FA–F-127/F-68–TPL represents a promising antitumor drug delivery system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Intelligent Hydrogel 2nd Edition)
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9 pages, 2398 KiB  
Article
Pectin Hydrogels as Structural Platform for Antibacterial Drug Delivery
by Tejas Saravanan, Jennifer M. Pan, Franz G. Zingl, Matthew K. Waldor, Yifan Zheng, Hassan A. Khalil and Steven J. Mentzer
Polymers 2024, 16(22), 3202; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16223202 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1143
Abstract
Hydrogels are hydrophilic 3-dimensional networks characterized by the retention of a large amount of water. Because of their water component, hydrogels are a promising method for targeted drug delivery. The water component, or “free volume”, is a potential vehicle for protein drugs. A [...] Read more.
Hydrogels are hydrophilic 3-dimensional networks characterized by the retention of a large amount of water. Because of their water component, hydrogels are a promising method for targeted drug delivery. The water component, or “free volume”, is a potential vehicle for protein drugs. A particularly intriguing hydrogel is pectin. In addition to a generous free volume, pectin has structural characteristics that facilitate hydrogel binding to the glycocalyceal surface of visceral organs. To test drug function and pectin integrity after loading, we compared pectin films from four distinct plant sources: lemon, potato, soybean, and sugar beet. The pectin films were tested for their micromechanical properties and intrinsic antibacterial activity. Lemon pectin films demonstrated the greatest cohesion at 30% water content. Moreover, modest growth inhibition was observed with lemon pectin (p < 0.05). No effective inhibition was observed with soybean, potato, or sugar beet films (p > 0.05). In contrast, lemon pectin films embedded with carbenicillin, chloramphenicol, or kanamycin demonstrated significant bacterial growth inhibition (p < 0.05). The antibacterial activity was similar when the antibiotics were embedded in inert filter disks or pectin disks (p > 0.05). We conclude that lemon pectin films represent a promising structural platform for antibacterial drug delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Intelligent Hydrogel 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 3311 KiB  
Article
Formulation-Property Effects in Novel Injectable and Resilient Natural Polymer-Based Hydrogels for Soft Tissue Regeneration
by Daniella Goder Orbach, Ilana Roitman, Geffen Coster Kimhi and Meital Zilberman
Polymers 2024, 16(20), 2879; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202879 - 12 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1547
Abstract
The development of injectable hydrogels for soft tissue regeneration has gained significant attention due to their minimally invasive application and ability to conform precisely to the shape of irregular tissue cavities. This study presents a novel injectable porous scaffold based on natural polymers [...] Read more.
The development of injectable hydrogels for soft tissue regeneration has gained significant attention due to their minimally invasive application and ability to conform precisely to the shape of irregular tissue cavities. This study presents a novel injectable porous scaffold based on natural polymers that undergoes in situ crosslinking, forming a highly resilient hydrogel with tailorable mechanical and physical properties to meet the specific demands of soft tissue repair. By adjusting the formulation, we achieved a range of stiffness values that closely mimic the mechanical characteristics of native tissues while maintaining very high resilience (>90%). The effects of gelatin, alginate, and crosslinker concentrations, as well as porosity, on the hydrogel’s properties were elucidated. The main results indicated a compression modulus range of 2.7–89 kPa, which fits all soft tissues, and gelation times ranging from 5 to 30 s, which enable the scaffold to be successfully used in various operations. An increase in gelatin and crosslinker concentrations results in a higher modulus and lower gelation time, i.e., a stiffer hydrogel that is created in a shorter time. In vitro cell viability tests on human fibroblasts were performed and indicated high biocompatibility. Our findings demonstrate that these injectable hydrogel scaffolds offer a promising solution for enhancing soft tissue repair and regeneration, providing a customizable and resilient framework that is expected to support tissue integration and healing with minimal surgical intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Intelligent Hydrogel 2nd Edition)
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Review

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21 pages, 2806 KiB  
Review
Hydrogels as Suitable miRNA Delivery Systems: A Review
by Haseena Makada and Moganavelli Singh
Polymers 2025, 17(7), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070915 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 415
Abstract
The use of miRNA in therapeutics has, since its discovery in 1993, attracted tremendous attention, and research in this area has progressed rapidly. Since the advent of RNA interference (RNAi), much about the nucleic acid siRNA has been elucidated. At the same time, [...] Read more.
The use of miRNA in therapeutics has, since its discovery in 1993, attracted tremendous attention, and research in this area has progressed rapidly. Since the advent of RNA interference (RNAi), much about the nucleic acid siRNA has been elucidated. At the same time, no miRNA-based drugs have passed phase II clinical trials. A significant obstacle to miRNA-based drug development is the ease of degradation and relatively short half-life in vivo of miRNA. Hydrogels are networks of cross-linked polymer chains with the ability to ‘swell’. They have shown remarkable capabilities that improve the properties of other researched carriers. In combination with miRNA modification strategies and inorganic carriers, hydrogel systems show promise for sustained miRNA delivery and the development of novel miRNA-based drugs. Although hydrogel systems have been reported recently, the focus has been predominantly on their wound-healing properties, with a dearth of information on their nucleic acid carrier abilities. This paper focuses more on the latest advancements in developing hydrogels as a carrier system, emphasizing the delivery of miRNA. This review will cover the methods of hydrogel fabrication, efforts for sustained miRNA release, biomedical applications, and future prospects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Intelligent Hydrogel 2nd Edition)
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