Colloidal-fibrillar composite gels demonstrate structural reinforcement, secondary fibrillar alignment, and improved vascular healing outcomes
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Many biological tissues contain colloids within a fibrillar structure. Here, we develop and characterize colloidal-fibrillar scaffolds through examination of the effects of relative colloid and fiber ratios within a fibrin-based model system composed of fibrin-based nanoparticles (FBNs) within a natural fibrin scaffold. At lower concentrations, FBNs primarily integrate into the fibrillar fibrin matrix, strengthening it. At high concentrations, colloid-colloid interactions dominate and FBNs primarily form a highly aligned secondary structure that does not strengthen the fibrillar matrix. At intermediate concentrations, both reinforcement of the fibrin matrix and colloid-colloid interactions are observed. Our characterization of this colloidal-fibrillar system provides insight into new avenues for wound healing biomaterial development. Using structural and mechanical results, we developed a biomimetic surgical sealant. When applied to a vascular healing model, FBN gel resulted in improved vessel healing. This colloidal-fibrillar composite can greatly improve healing outcomes and should be applied to other tissues. Nina A. Moiseiwitsch and colleagues develop and characterize a colloidal-fibrillar scaffold using fibrin-based nanoparticles to enhance matrix reinforcement and structural integrity. The findings offer new insights for biomaterial design, enabling a biomimetic surgical sealant that significantly improves vascular healing as well as other tissue repair applications.
Source: Communications Engineering
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Medicine
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,190
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina State University, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation, Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems
Awards: G1165633748, G122639448, NNCI: North Carolina Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN), G1676019983, Fibrin-Based Nanoparticles as a Novel Sealant for Vascular Anastomosis, G2713303228, G3118904659, G3275407028, G3338404878, G3615811786, U-TEAM: Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Training in Comparative Biomedical Research, G5973914729, G6560876899, Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), G6810723037, Collaborative Research: Exploring the Role of Ultra-Soft Inclusions in the Mechanics of Fibrous Materials, G747171459, Targeted treatment of thrombotic occlusions using a dual-delivery microgel therapeutic, G8311490009, G9000081592, NC State Molecular Biotechnology Training Program (MBTP)
OpenAlex ID: W4409246568