A high strength semi-degradable polysaccharide-based hybrid hydrogel for promoting cell adhesion and proliferation

Traditionally, practical applications of polysaccharide hydrogels have been limited for their weak mechanical properties under physiological conditions. In this study, we constructed a novel polysaccharide-based semi-degradable hydrogel whose network was constructed by chemical cross-linking of glycidyl methacrylate-modified laminarin and the hydrogen bonded physical cross-linking of poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide). In addition, the introduction of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole content could increase the equilibrium water content of hydrogels and endow hydrogels with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities. The prepared hydrogels exhibited comprehensive high mechanical properties up to 0.63 MPa tensile strength, 650% stretchability, and maximum 3.2 MPa compressive strength at swelling equilibrium state. The hydrogen bond interactions could well support the three-dimensional network of hydrogel after the degradation of modified laminarin. Meanwhile, the content of laminarin could facilitate cell adhesion and proliferation on the surface of hydrogel. It is anticipated that this high strength semi-degraded hydrogel may find a promising application as articular cartilage replacement.