Controlled modification of hyaluronic acid for photoinduced reactions in tissue engineering.

Abstract

Implementation of up-to-date 3D printing methods for tissue engineering applications requires synthesis of novel materials possessing both biocompatibility and processability properties. Since the hyaluronic acid is an endogenous material it represents an attractive candidate for scaffold formation. In this work, chemical modification of hyaluronic acid with glycidyl methacrylate (HAGM) was used to produce derivatives that are capable of photoinduced cross-linking. Aiming to control the degree of substitution in hyaluronic acid by glycidyl methacrylate we developed a new quantitative method based on oxidation of double bonds in HAGM by permanganate ions. HAGM hydrogel scaffolds have been produced and examined as in vitro and in vivo.