Biomimetic Glycosaminoglycan‐Analog Hydrogel for Improved Embolization of Aneurysms: Environment‐Selective Swelling

TL;DR

A new injectable hydrogel that swells only in specific environments could improve aneurysm embolization by staying in place and blocking blood flow effectively.

Contribution

Development of a biomimetic hydrogel with environment-selective swelling for improved aneurysm embolization.

Findings

The hydrogel swells minimally in blood (30%) but significantly in plasma and PBS.

The hydrogel prevents protrusion into the parent artery and completely blocks aneurysm flow in 3D models.

Abstract

Injectable hydrogels are promising biomaterials for treating aneurysms, life‐threatening blood‐filled saccular lesions, enabling complete filling of the aneurysm and supporting tissue repair. Yet, the challenge is to enable clinical translation as hydrogels must not protrude into the parent vessel, nor migrate from the aneurysm cavity. Here, injectable, negatively‐charged, biologically and mechanically compatible hydrogels with environment‐sensitive swelling capabilities that cease swelling upon contact with blood are developed. Hydrogels are fabricated by copolymerizing sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS) and 3‐sulfopropyl acrylate (KSPA) by using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). Three formulations (2%, 4%, and 6%) demonstrating a wide range of physiological‐relevant stiffnesses are fabricated. The selected mechano‐compatible 4% hydrogel exhibits a suitable swelling pressure (125 kPa) and supports high endothelial cell viability (> 75%). Importantly, the hydrogel demonstrates a significant differential swell with respect to blood (30 ± 4%), plasma (58 ± 3%), and PBS (82 ± 2%). This environment‐selective swelling, upon exposure to blood, results in minimal directional swelling toward the parent artery, which can improve embolization outcomes. Hydrogel embolization in 3D‐printed aneurysm models subjected to physiological blood flow shows no protrusion toward the main artery while completely blocking flow into the aneurysm. This approach provides promising opportunities for efficient embolization of a variety of aneurysms and vascular malformations.

Biomimetic glycosaminoglycan analog hydrogels exhibit suitable and robust mechanical properties, as well as hemocompatibility and biocompatibility, making them ideal for the embolization of intracranial aneurysms. Notably, the hydrogel's environment‐selective swelling properties enable complete blockage of the aneurysm cavity while preventing protrusion into the main vessel and ensuring better localization within the aneurysm cavity.

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