Three dimensionally flocculated proangiogenic microgels for neovascularization

Microparticles encapsulating regenerative medicines have been used in tissue engineering because of their several advantages, including non-invasive drug delivery and controllable drug release rates. However, microparticles implanted in tissue defects are readily displaced by external mechanical forces, decreasing their regenerative efficacy. We hypothesized that a drug-encapsulated colloidal gel formed through colloidal attraction between microparticles would resist displacement at an implant site, and subsequently improve therapeutic efficacy. This hypothesis was examined using a colloidal gel formed from the mixing of negatively charged microgels composed of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microgels and poly(sodium acrylate), and positively charged microgels composed of PEG and poly(vinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride). The structural strength of the colloidal gel could be tuned with the zeta potential and volumetric ratios of the oppositely charged microgels. Furthermore, the implantation of the colloidal gel, encapsulating vascular endothelial growth factor, significantly increased the vascular density while limiting host inflammation, as compared with the implantation of unary microgel suspensions. This study demonstrates the enhancement in the efficacy of microparticle drug delivery systems by tuning rheological properties of suspensions, which should be useful for the design of a wide array of particulate systems for both tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2010

Author dc:creator

• DeVolder, Ross J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kong, Hyun Joon

• angiogenesis
• hydrogel
• colloidal gel

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Ross J. Devolder

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16837

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/16837