Photo-cured hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels containing growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5) for bone tissue regeneration

Abstract In this study we describe the generation and influences on in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis of photo-cured hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels loaded with growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5). Prior to loading GDF-5, we characterized the release profiles from these hydrogels and tested their respective cell viability, differentiation and in vivo bone regeneration. The results from this testing indicated that GDF-5 was observed to release in a sustained manner from the HA hydrogels I–III. MTT and Live/Dead assays showed that the HA hydrogels I–III have good biocompatibility for use as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. In vitro cell tests showed a higher level of MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation on HA hydrogels I–III than on HA hydrogel 0. Moreover, in vivo animal tests showed that the HA hydrogels I and III had a significant improvement on osteogenesis. Overall, our results suggest that the HA-based hydrogel is a good biomaterial to deliver osteogenic differentiation factors such as GDF-5, and GDF-5 can be useful as an effective alternative to aid new bone formation.