Accelerated wound healing by injectable star poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(propylene sulfide) scaffolds loaded with poorly water-soluble drugs.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Injectable hydrogel matrices take the shape of a wound cavity and serve as scaffold for tissue repair and regeneration. Yet these materials are generally hydrophilic, limiting the incorporation of poorly water soluble, hydrophobic drugs. Here we show this shortcoming is circumvented through a star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer comprising poly(ethylene glycol) and poly (propylene sulfide). This star-shaped amphiphilic polymer self-assembles in an aqueous medium into a physically stable hydrogel and effectively dissolves hydrophobic molecules delivering them at therapeutic doses. The self assembled hydrogel is a robust three-dimensional scaffold in vivo effectively promoting cellular infiltration, reducing inflammation, and wound clsoure. When combined with a hydrophobic BRAF inhibitor that promotes paradoxical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in keratinocytes and wound closure, our self assembled scaffold supported dermal wound closure at a reduced drug dosage compared to administering the drug in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) without a polymeric matrix. This family of star-shaped amphiphilic polymers delivers poorly water soluble active agents at a fraction of generally required dosage for efficacy and supports three-dimensional cell growth at tissue wounds, showing great promise for novel uses of hydrophobic drugs in tissue repair applications.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Zhu, S; Li, S; Escuin-Ordinas, H; Dimatteo, R; Xi, W; Ribas, A; Segura, T

Published Date

  • July 2018

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 282 /

Start / End Page

  • 156 - 165

PubMed ID

  • 29751029

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC6082662

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-4995

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0168-3659

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.05.006

Language

  • eng