Photopolymerized hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels and interpenetrating networks

Hyaluronic acid (HA) was derivatized with methacrylic esters used for the preparation of hydrogels via photopolymerization. Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) with a molecular weight of 570 was also used as a comacromonomer to improve elastic modulus and swelling behavior. The hydrogels were readily degraded by hyaluronidase and their mechanical properties could be modulated by HA molecular weight and concentration of PEG-DA. The incorporation of RGD peptides allowed modulation of the HA properties from cell non-adhesive to adhesive. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on the RGD, RDG, and non-functionalized HA hydrogels for up to 7 d, showing adhesion and proliferation only with incorporated RGD.