Antioxidant and Anti‐Senescence Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Gallic Acid Supramolecular Hydrogels for Stem Cell Culture

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Replicative senescence presents a significant challenge in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) expansion due to high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels generated during culture. Elevated ROS levels lead to oxidative stress, cellular damage, and senescence, limiting the biomedical applications of MSCs. In this study, a supramolecular thermo-reversible hydrogel composed of the natural polyphenolic compound gallic acid (GA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was designed to scavenge ROS and mitigate MSC senescence. The PVA-GA hydrogel, stabilized by strong hydrogen bonding forces, exhibited an elastic modulus comparable to that of human soft tissue and facilitated the sustained release of GA over 14 days. It enhanced MSC survival, protected against oxidative stress, reduced intracellular ROS levels, diminished mitochondrial damage, and decreased cellular senescence. The hydrogel maintained the multilineage differentiation potential and typical phenotype of MSCs. Additionally, it preserved vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from MSCs under oxidative stress and enhanced their pro-angiogenic effect. The conditioned medium derived from MSCs in the hydrogel group promoted migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These findings suggest that the PVA-GA hydrogel holds significant promise for the biomedical applications of MSCs, potentially addressing the challenges posed by oxidative stress and cellular senescence.

Source: Advanced Healthcare Materials

DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202402882

Authors: Yiduo Zhou, Matías L. Picchio, Yan Nie, Lei Wang, Oihane Sanz, Yue Liu, Xun Xu, Lukas Prantl, Oliver Felthaus, Weiwei Wang, Marcelo Calderón, Nan Ma

Institutions: Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Freie Universität Berlin, Ikerbasque, National Technological University, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, University of the Basque Country, Polymat, University Hospital Regensburg

Language: English

Topic: Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications

Subfield: Molecular Medicine

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,880

Funders: European Commission, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, China Scholarship Council, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Consejería de Salud y Consumo, Junta de Andalucía

OpenAlex ID: W4409527843