Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone Formation

ABSTRACT Delivery of bioactive agents to achieve tissue regeneration at targeted sites with minimal side effects requires the use of biodegradable carriers and sustained release of the therapeutic at appropriate concentrations. We developed a copper‐free polyethylene glycol‐based click hydrogel to d...

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Main Authors: D. Joshua Cohen, Thomas W. Jacobs, D. Scott Wilson, Michael C. Mancini, Christine Van Duyn, Zvi Schwartz, Barbara D. Boyan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Pharmacology Research & Perspectives
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70119
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author D. Joshua Cohen
Thomas W. Jacobs
D. Scott Wilson
Michael C. Mancini
Christine Van Duyn
Zvi Schwartz
Barbara D. Boyan
author_facet D. Joshua Cohen
Thomas W. Jacobs
D. Scott Wilson
Michael C. Mancini
Christine Van Duyn
Zvi Schwartz
Barbara D. Boyan
author_sort D. Joshua Cohen
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Delivery of bioactive agents to achieve tissue regeneration at targeted sites with minimal side effects requires the use of biodegradable carriers and sustained release of the therapeutic at appropriate concentrations. We developed a copper‐free polyethylene glycol‐based click hydrogel to deliver bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP2), a potent regulator for bone regeneration that is currently delivered to orthotopic sites using an absorbable collagen sponge, leading to a burst release of BMP2, potentially causing ectopic bone formation. In contrast, the hydrogel is delivered as a liquid, conforming to the contours of treatment sites, polymerizing rapidly at body temperature without generating heat, exhibiting minimal swelling after gelation, and releasing its payload as it degrades. We assessed the safety and effectiveness of BMP2 delivery in vitro and in mouse cranial defects in vivo, comparing it to BMP2 delivered via a collagen sponge. No toxicity was observed in vitro or systemically, nor was there allergic sensitization caused by the hydrogel in rabbits. Released BMP2 increased the production of osteogenic markers in vitro. Hydrogel + BMP2 caused equivalent defect closure and total bone growth compared to collagen + BMP2; however, there was more vascularization within the defect but less bone growth outside of the defect on the calvaria for hydrogel + BMP2 compared to collagen + BMP2. In conclusion, the click hydrogels used in this study are safe and effective for administering BMP2 with fewer undesired off‐target effects and high potential to be used with BMP2 for bone regeneration, supporting the use of click chemistry hydrogels to deliver bioactive agents to treatment sites safely and effectively.
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spelling doaj-art-6f6b74709b154ab3a4f5a0a7d6ba115d2025-08-20T02:07:24ZengWileyPharmacology Research & Perspectives2052-17072025-06-01133n/an/a10.1002/prp2.70119Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone FormationD. Joshua Cohen0Thomas W. Jacobs1D. Scott Wilson2Michael C. Mancini3Christine Van Duyn4Zvi Schwartz5Barbara D. Boyan6Department of Biomedical Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USAJohns Hopkins Medical Institute Baltimore Maryland USAPascal Medical Corporation Richmond Virginia USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USAABSTRACT Delivery of bioactive agents to achieve tissue regeneration at targeted sites with minimal side effects requires the use of biodegradable carriers and sustained release of the therapeutic at appropriate concentrations. We developed a copper‐free polyethylene glycol‐based click hydrogel to deliver bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP2), a potent regulator for bone regeneration that is currently delivered to orthotopic sites using an absorbable collagen sponge, leading to a burst release of BMP2, potentially causing ectopic bone formation. In contrast, the hydrogel is delivered as a liquid, conforming to the contours of treatment sites, polymerizing rapidly at body temperature without generating heat, exhibiting minimal swelling after gelation, and releasing its payload as it degrades. We assessed the safety and effectiveness of BMP2 delivery in vitro and in mouse cranial defects in vivo, comparing it to BMP2 delivered via a collagen sponge. No toxicity was observed in vitro or systemically, nor was there allergic sensitization caused by the hydrogel in rabbits. Released BMP2 increased the production of osteogenic markers in vitro. Hydrogel + BMP2 caused equivalent defect closure and total bone growth compared to collagen + BMP2; however, there was more vascularization within the defect but less bone growth outside of the defect on the calvaria for hydrogel + BMP2 compared to collagen + BMP2. In conclusion, the click hydrogels used in this study are safe and effective for administering BMP2 with fewer undesired off‐target effects and high potential to be used with BMP2 for bone regeneration, supporting the use of click chemistry hydrogels to deliver bioactive agents to treatment sites safely and effectively.https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70119BMPbonebone morphogenetic protein‐2click chemistryhydrogelin vitro
spellingShingle D. Joshua Cohen
Thomas W. Jacobs
D. Scott Wilson
Michael C. Mancini
Christine Van Duyn
Zvi Schwartz
Barbara D. Boyan
Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone Formation
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives
BMP
bone
bone morphogenetic protein‐2
click chemistry
hydrogel
in vitro
title Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone Formation
title_full Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone Formation
title_fullStr Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone Formation
title_full_unstemmed Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone Formation
title_short Rapidly Polymerizing Click Hydrogel Provides Localized Delivery of rhBMP2 to Promote Bone Formation
title_sort rapidly polymerizing click hydrogel provides localized delivery of rhbmp2 to promote bone formation
topic BMP
bone
bone morphogenetic protein‐2
click chemistry
hydrogel
in vitro
url https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70119
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