Meinert Christoph, Weekes Angus, Chang Chun-Wei, Schrobback Karsten, Gelmi Amy, Stevens Molly M, Hutmacher Dietmar W, Klein Travis J
Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD Australia.
Gelomics Pty Ltd., Brisbane, QLD Australia.
Commun Mater. 2025;6(1):55. doi: 10.1038/s43246-025-00781-8. Epub 2025 Mar 27.
Hydrogels are frequently used in regenerative medicine due to their hydrated, tissue-compatible nature, and tuneable mechanics. While many strategies enable bulk mechanical modulation, little attention is given to tuning surface tribology, and its impact on cellular behavior under mechanical stimuli. Here, we demonstrate that photocrosslinking hydrogels on hydrophobic substrates leads to significant, long-lasting reductions in surface friction, ideal for cartilage tissue regeneration. Gelatin methacryloyl and hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogels photocrosslinked on polytetrafluoroethylene possess more hydrated, lubricious surfaces, with lower friction coefficients and crosslinking densities than those crosslinked on glass. This facilitated self-lubrication via water exudation, limiting shear during biaxial stimulation. When subject to intermittent biaxial loading mimicking joint movement, low-friction chondrocyte-laden neo-tissues formed superior hyaline cartilage, confirming the benefits of reduced friction on tissue development. Finally, in situ photocrosslinking enabled precise hydrogel formation in a full-thickness cartilage defect, highlighting the clinical potential and emphasizing the importance of crosslinking substrate in regenerative medicine.
水凝胶因其水合的、组织相容性的性质以及可调节的力学性能而经常用于再生医学。虽然许多策略能够实现整体力学调制，但很少有人关注调节表面摩擦学及其在机械刺激下对细胞行为的影响。在这里，我们证明在疏水基底上光交联水凝胶会导致表面摩擦显著且持久地降低，这对于软骨组织再生非常理想。在聚四氟乙烯上光交联的明胶甲基丙烯酰基和透明质酸甲基丙烯酸酯水凝胶具有更水合、润滑的表面，与在玻璃上交联的水凝胶相比，其摩擦系数和交联密度更低。这通过水渗出促进了自润滑，限制了双轴刺激期间的剪切力。当受到模拟关节运动的间歇性双轴加载时，负载有低摩擦软骨细胞的新组织形成了优质的透明软骨，证实了降低摩擦对组织发育的益处。最后，原位光交联能够在全层软骨缺损中精确形成水凝胶，突出了其临床潜力，并强调了交联基底在再生医学中的重要性。
