Inorganic polymerization: an attractive route to biocompatible hybrid hydrogels

International audienceAs an intermediate state between liquid and solid materials, hydrogels display unique properties, opening a wide scope of applications, especially in the biomedical field. Organic hydrogels are composed of an organic network cross-linked via chemical or physical reticulation nodes. In contrast, hybrid hydrogels are defined by the coexistence of organic and inorganic moieties in water. Inorganic polymerization, i.e. sol-gel process, is one of the main techniques leading to hybrid hydrogels. The chemoselectivity of this method proceeds through hydrolysis and condensation reactions of metal oxide moieties. In addition, the mild reaction conditions make this process very promising for the preparation of water-containing materials and their bio-applications

Chemical cross-linking methods for cell encapsulation in hydrogels

International audienceCell-encapsulating hydrogels are of tremendous interest in regenerative medicine. Tissue engineering relies on biomaterials able to act as artificial extracellular matrices to guide cells towards the development of new tissues. Therefore, considerable efforts have been made to design biomaterials which mimic cells’ native environment, thus encouraging natural behavior. The choice of biomaterial in which cells are embedded is crucial for their survival, proliferation and differentiation. Being more stable, chemical hydrogels are preferred over physical hydrogels as cell-laden substrates. When designing chemical hydrogels, scientists must choose not only the nature of the network (synthetic and/or bio-polymers) but also the type of cross-link bridging hydrogel constituents. For that purpose, numerous chemistries have been used (i) to introduce reactive functions on the hydrogel precursors and (ii) to form covalent bonds in the presence of living cells. The review will discuss the advantages and limitations of each strategy

Self-mineralization and assembly of a bis-silylated Phe–Phe pseudodipeptide to a structured bioorganic–inorganic material

International audienceSelf-mineralization of trialkoxysilyl hybrid peptide yield in a single step a nanostructured hybrid material. A bis-silylated pseudodipeptide inspired from the Phe-Phe dipeptide was used to program the assembly by sol-gel polymerization in heterogeneous conditions, in water at pH 1.5 without any structure-directing agent. A mechanism deciphering the hybrid material assembly was proposed thanks to 1H NMR spectroscopy. First, water-insoluble hybrid building blocks were hydrolysed into their soluble silanol counterparts. Then, these transitional species, thanks to hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking, self-assembled in solution. Last, the proximity of silanol moieties favoured their polycondensation into growing siloxane oligomers, which spontaneously precipitated to produce an ordered hybrid material

Considerations of growth factor and material use in bone tissue engineering using biodegradable scaffolds in vitro and in vivo

Bone tissue engineering aims to harness materials to develop functional bone tissue to heal ‘critical-sized’ bone defects. This study examined a robust, coated poly(caprolactone) trimethacrylate (PCL-TMA) 3D-printable scaffold designed to augment bone formation. Following optimisation of the coatings, three bioactive coatings were examined, i) elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), ii) poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), fibronectin (FN) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) applied sequentially (PEA/FN/BMP-2) and iii) both ELP and PEA/FN/BMP-2 coatings applied concurrently. The scaffold material was robust and showed biodegradability. The coatings demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) osteogenic response in vitro in alkaline phosphatase gene upregulation and alkaline phosphatase production. The PCL-TMA scaffold and coatings supported angiogenesis and displayed excellent biocompatibility following evaluation on the chorioallantoic membrane assay. No significant (p < 0.05) heterotopic bone formed on the scaffolds within a murine subcutaneous implantation model, compared to the positive control of BMP-2 loaded collagen sponge following examination by micro-computed tomography or histology. The current studies demonstrate a range of innovative coated scaffold constructs with in vitro efficacy and clearly illustrate the importance of an appropriate in vivo environment to validate in vitro functionality prior to scale up and preclinical application

Conception de matériaux hybrides peptidiques biomimétiques

We designed and developed a method for the preparation of hydrogels through the sol-gel process. It is based on (bio)organic-inorganic hybrid blocks obtained by functionalization of synthetic polymers or bioactive molecules, such as peptides, with silyl groups (triethoxysilanes or hydroxydimethylsilanes). These hybrid blocks can be combined in desired ratio and engaged in the sol-gel process to yield multifunctional hydrogels. Gelation proceeds at 37°C at pH 7.4 in a physiological buffer. Hydrolysis and condensation of silylated precursors results in a three dimensional covalent network in which molecules are linked through siloxane bonds. First, this method was applied to the synthesis of PEG-based hydrogels. Then, we demonstrated that hydrogels could be covalently functionalized during their formation. Thus, hydrogels exhibiting antibacterial properties or promoting cell adhesion were obtained. Secondly, a hybrid peptide whose sequence was inspired from natural collagen was synthesized and used to prepare hydrogels that provided a cell-friendly environment comparable to natural collagen substrates. Stem cells could be encapsulated in these hydrogels with high viability. Finally, hybrid hydrogels were used as bio-inks to print 3D scaffolds. This PhD work highlights the potential of the sol-gel chemistry for the design of tailor-made biomimetic scaffolds that could be particularly promising for tissue engineering applications.Nous avons imaginé et développé une méthode pour la préparation d’hydrogels par procédé sol-gel à partir de blocs hybrides (bio)organique-inorganique. Les blocs hybrides sont obtenus par introduction de groupements silylés, triéthoxysilanes ou hydroxydiméthylsilanes, sur des polymères synthétiques ou des molécules d’intérêt biologique telles que des peptides. Ces blocs hybrides peuvent être combinés dans des proportions choisies pour former des hydrogels multifonctionnels. Le procédé de gélification se déroule à 37°C à pH 7.4 dans un tampon physiologique. L’hydrolyse et la condensation des précurseurs silylés conduit à la formation d’un réseau tridimensionnel covalent dans lequel les entités organiques sont reliées par des liaisons siloxanes. Dans un premier temps, cette méthode a été appliquée à la synthèse d’hydrogels à base de PEG. Nous avons ensuite montré que ces hydrogels pouvaient être fonctionnalisés de façon covalente par des entités bioactives au cours de leur préparation. Des hydrogels possédant des propriétés antibactériennes ou favorisant l’adhésion cellulaire ont ainsi été préparés. Dans un deuxième temps, un peptide hybride inspiré du collagène naturel a été synthétisé et a permis l’obtention d’hydrogels qui présentent des propriétés de prolifération cellulaire similaires à celles observées sur des substrats de collagène naturel. La biocompatibilité du procédé sol-gel a été démontrée par l’encapsulation de cellules souches dans l’hydrogel au cours de sa formation. Enfin, l’impression 3D d’hydrogels hybrides a été réalisée. Ce travail de thèse met donc en lumière le potentiel de la chimie sol-gel pour la conception à façon de matériaux biomimétiques particulièrement prometteurs pour des applications en ingénierie tissulaire

Biomimetic peptide hybrid materials

Nous avons imaginé et développé une méthode pour la préparation d’hydrogels par procédé sol-gel à partir de blocs hybrides (bio)organiques-inorganiques. Les blocs hybrides sont obtenus par introduction de groupements silylés, triéthoxysilanes ou hydroxydiméthylsilanes, sur des polymères synthétiques ou des molécules d’intérêt biologique telles que des peptides. Ces blocs hybrides peuvent être combinés dans des proportions choisies pour former des hydrogels multifonctionnels. Le procédé de gélification se déroule à 37°C à pH 7.4 dans un tampon physiologique. L’hydrolyse et la condensation des précurseurs silylés conduit à la formation d’un réseau tridimensionnel covalent dans lequel les entités organiques sont reliées par des liaisons siloxanes. Dans un premier temps, cette méthode a été appliquée à la synthèse d’hydrogels à base de PEG. Nous avons ensuite montré que ces hydrogels pouvaient être fonctionnalisés de façon covalente par des entités bioactives au cours de leur préparation. Des hydrogels possédant des propriétés antibactériennes ou favorisant l’adhésion cellulaire ont ainsi été préparés. Dans un deuxième temps, un peptide hybride inspiré du collagène naturel a été synthétisé et a permis l’obtention d’hydrogels qui présentent des propriétés de prolifération cellulaire similaires à celles observées sur des substrats de collagène naturel. La biocompatibilité du procédé sol-gel a été démontrée par l’encapsulation de cellules souches dans l’hydrogel au cours de sa formation. Enfin, l’impression 3D d’hydrogels hybrides a été réalisée. Ce travail de thèse met donc en lumière le potentiel de la chimie sol-gel pour la conception à façon de matériaux biomimétiques particulièrement prometteurs pour des applications en ingénierie tissulaire.We designed and developed a method for the preparation of hydrogels through the sol-gel process. It is based on (bio)organic-inorganic hybrid blocks obtained by functionalization of synthetic polymers or bioactive molecules, such as peptides, with silyl groups (triethoxysilanes or hydroxydimethylsilanes). These hybrid blocks can be combined in desired ratio and engaged in the sol-gel process to yield multifunctional hydrogels. Gelation proceeds at 37°C at pH 7.4 in a physiological buffer. Hydrolysis and condensation of silylated precursors result in a three-dimensional covalent network in which molecules are linked through siloxane bonds. First, this method was applied to the synthesis of PEG-based hydrogels. Then, we demonstrated that hydrogels could be covalently functionalized during their formation. Thus, hydrogels exhibiting antibacterial properties or promoting cell adhesion were obtained. Secondly, a hybrid peptide whose sequence was inspired from natural collagen was synthesized and used to prepare hydrogels that provided a cell-friendly environment comparable to natural collagen substrates. Stem cells could be encapsulated in these hydrogels with high viability. Finally, hybrid hydrogels were used as bio-inks to print 3D scaffolds. This PhD work highlights the potential of the sol-gel chemistry for the design of tailor-made biomimetic scaffolds that could be particularly promising for tissue engineering applications

Biomatériaux à base de collagène pour des applications en santé

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Silylated biomolecules: Versatile components for bioinks

International audiencePhysical hydrogels prepared from natural biopolymers are the most popular components for bioinks. However, to improve the mechanical properties of the network, in particular its durability for long-lasting tissue engineering applications or its stiffness for bone/cartilage applications, covalent chemical hydrogels have to be considered. For that purpose, biorthogonal reactions are required to allow the inclusion of living cells within the bioink reservoir before the 3D printing procedure. Interestingly, such reactions also unlock the possibility to further multifunctionalize the network, adding bioactive moieties to tune the biological properties of the resulting printed biomaterial. Surprisingly, compared to the huge number of studies disclosing novel bioink compositions, no extensive efforts have been made by the scientific community to develop new chemical reactions meeting the requirements of both cell encapsulation, chemical orthogonality and versatile enough to be applied to a wide range of molecular components, including fragile biomolecules. That could be explained by the domination of acrylate photocrosslinking in the bioprinting field. On the other hand, proceeding chemoselectively and allowing the polymerization of any type of silylated molecules, the sol-gel inorganic polymerization was used as a crosslinking reaction to prepare hydrogels. Recent development of this strategy includes the optimization of biocompatible catalytic conditions and the silylation of highly attractive biomolecules such as amino acids, bioactive peptides, proteins and oligosaccharides. When one combines the simplicity and the versatility of the process, with the ease of functionalization of any type of relevant silylated molecules that can be combined in an infinite manner, it was obvious that a family of bioinks could emerge quickly. This review presents the sol-gel process in biocompatible conditions and the various classes of relevant silylated molecules that can be used as bioink components. The preparation of hydrogels and the kinetic considerations of the sol-gel chemistry which at least allowed cell encapsulation and extrusion-based bioprinting are discussed

1-(Aminomethyl)-Trans-Cyclooct-4-Ene, a New TCO Derivative for Target Visualization and Target Engagement Measurement in Cells

Click probes have enabled a thorough study of drug interactions in relevant disease models. Proper design of the probes, including the choice of the click moiety coupled to the drug, is crucial to ensure good performance and broad application. A new trans-cyclooctene derivative, amTCO, was synthesised using a phthalimide protecting group as a built-in photosensitiser for the cyclooctene isomerization. The 1-(aminomethyl)-trans-cyclooct-4-ene (amTCO) displays a primary amine group that facilitates conjugation with carboxylic acid or hydroxyl-containing compounds. It can help tuning the physical chemical properties of the resulting probes. An amTCO probe targeting indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) was superior to a TCO variant. The new probe is an effective tool for visualizing IDO1 and measuring the binding affinities of small molecule inhibitors to IDO1 in cells