Glycosaminoglycan-Inspired Biomaterials for the Development of Bioactive Hydrogel Networks

Mariana I. Neves, Marco Araujo, Lorenzo Moroni, Ricardo M. P. da Silva*, Cristina C. Barrias*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are long, linear polysaccharides that display a wide range of relevant biological roles. Particularly, in the extracellular matrix (ECM) GAG specifically interact with other biological molecules, such as growth factors, protecting them from proteolysis or inhibiting factors. Additionally, ECM GAG are partially responsible for the mechanical stability of tissues due to their capacity to retain high amounts of water, enabling hydration of the ECM and rendering it resistant to compressive forces. In this review, the use of GAG for developing hydrogel networks with improved biological activity and/or mechanical properties is discussed. Greater focus is given to strategies involving the production of hydrogels that are composed of GAG alone or in combination with other materials. Additionally, approaches used to introduce GAG-inspired features in biomaterials of different sources will also be presented.

Original languageEnglish
Article number978
Number of pages39
JournalMolecules
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Feb 2020

Keywords

  • BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
  • CHONDROITIN SULFATE
  • CROSS-LINKED HYALURONAN
  • EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX
  • GAG
  • GAG-mimetics
  • GROWTH-FACTOR
  • MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES
  • NEURAL DIFFERENTIATION
  • SILK FIBROIN/HYALURONIC ACID
  • STEM-CELL CHONDROGENESIS
  • SUPRAMOLECULAR NANOFIBERS
  • biomaterials
  • hybrid systems
  • hydrogels
  • polysaccharides
  • proteins
  • self-assembly peptides

Cite this