A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound Healing
Wound healing is a complex biological process involving inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases. Effective healing is essential for maintaining skin integrity, driving the need for advanced materials like hydrogels, known for their high water retention and tunable mechanical properties. I...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Jiaqi Li Yuanli Huang Yalu Wang Qianqian Han |
| author_facet | Jiaqi Li Yuanli Huang Yalu Wang Qianqian Han |
| author_sort | Jiaqi Li |
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| description | Wound healing is a complex biological process involving inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases. Effective healing is essential for maintaining skin integrity, driving the need for advanced materials like hydrogels, known for their high water retention and tunable mechanical properties. In this study, we synthesized a biocompatible composite hydrogel composed of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) through a Schiff base reaction, forming a stable crosslinked network. Its physicochemical properties, including rheological behavior and swelling capacity, were systematically evaluated. Biocompatibility was assessed via in vitro hemolysis and cytotoxicity assays, and in vivo testing was performed using a full-thickness skin defect model in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats to evaluate wound-healing efficacy. The PGA-PL hydrogel demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties, with a maximum swelling ratio of 65.6%, and biocompatibility as evidenced by low hemolysis rates (<5%) and high cell viability (>80%). It promoted wound healing by inhibiting the inflammatory response, reducing levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6, enhancing angiogenesis, and accelerating collagen deposition. The hydrogel showed complete biodegradation within 21 days in vivo without inducing a significant inflammatory response and significantly accelerated wound healing, achieving an 86% healing rate within 7 days compared to 67% in the control group. The PGA-PL composite hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibility, and its effective wound-healing capabilities lay the groundwork for future development and optimization in various tissue engineering applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c4e8c926099d4d3eb40a405c26495c8f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c4e8c926099d4d3eb40a405c26495c8f2025-08-20T03:13:47ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-03-0111422610.3390/gels11040226A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound HealingJiaqi Li0Yuanli Huang1Yalu Wang2Qianqian Han3National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, ChinaNational Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, ChinaNational Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, ChinaNational Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, ChinaWound healing is a complex biological process involving inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases. Effective healing is essential for maintaining skin integrity, driving the need for advanced materials like hydrogels, known for their high water retention and tunable mechanical properties. In this study, we synthesized a biocompatible composite hydrogel composed of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) through a Schiff base reaction, forming a stable crosslinked network. Its physicochemical properties, including rheological behavior and swelling capacity, were systematically evaluated. Biocompatibility was assessed via in vitro hemolysis and cytotoxicity assays, and in vivo testing was performed using a full-thickness skin defect model in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats to evaluate wound-healing efficacy. The PGA-PL hydrogel demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties, with a maximum swelling ratio of 65.6%, and biocompatibility as evidenced by low hemolysis rates (<5%) and high cell viability (>80%). It promoted wound healing by inhibiting the inflammatory response, reducing levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6, enhancing angiogenesis, and accelerating collagen deposition. The hydrogel showed complete biodegradation within 21 days in vivo without inducing a significant inflammatory response and significantly accelerated wound healing, achieving an 86% healing rate within 7 days compared to 67% in the control group. The PGA-PL composite hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibility, and its effective wound-healing capabilities lay the groundwork for future development and optimization in various tissue engineering applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/226poly-γ-glutamic acidε-polylysinehydrogelwound healing |
| spellingShingle | Jiaqi Li Yuanli Huang Yalu Wang Qianqian Han A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound Healing Gels poly-γ-glutamic acid ε-polylysine hydrogel wound healing |
| title | A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound Healing |
| title_full | A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound Healing |
| title_fullStr | A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound Healing |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound Healing |
| title_short | A Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid/ε-Polylysine Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Role in Accelerated Wound Healing |
| title_sort | poly γ glutamic acid ε polylysine hydrogel synthesis characterization and its role in accelerated wound healing |
| topic | poly-γ-glutamic acid ε-polylysine hydrogel wound healing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/226 |
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