Evaluation of double network hydrogel of poloxamer-heparin/gellan gum for bone marrow stem cells delivery carrier

In this study, a double network hydrogel of a natural polysaccharide gellan gum (GG) hydrogel and a synthetic hydrogel poloxamer-heparin (PoH) hydrogel (PoH/GG DNH) is introduced to complement disadvantages of each hydrogel and improve the microenvironment for cell delivery. The microstructure, surface morphology, gelation temperature, swelling and weight loss, sol fraction, mechanical property and thermal stability was examined. The potential of the composite hydrogel for cell vehicle was demonstrated by encapsulation of bone marrow stem cells isolated from rabbits (rBMSCs) within the PoH/GG DNH in vitro. The results showed that the DNH system supported cell survival and retained rBMSCs morphology and phenotype. Moreover, cell distribution, adherence, and ECM production were supported by PoH/GG DNH in vivo. Overall results provide a potential opportunity to apply the composite hydrogels in tissue engineering purpose.