Electrococnductive Hydrogel as Multifunctional Substrate for Neuromuscular Tissue Regeneration

Electrococnductive Hydrogel as Multifunctional Substrate for Neuromuscular Tissue Regeneration

Abstrakt

Trauma-related neuromuscular injuries are complex and often involve both nerve damage and surrounding tissue disruption, making functional recovery particularly challenging. As a result, there is a growing need for materials that can act at the injury site to promote both nerve repair and healing of the surrounding tissue. Natural polymer-based hydrogels offer excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical compliance, which are essential for integration into neural tissue. In addition, electroconductive hydrogels have demonstrated the ability to enhance nerve regeneration by facilitating endogenous electrical signaling, known to support neuronal differentiation and axonal growth. However, many conductive polymers are hydrophobic and rigid, making their incorporation into hydrophilic hydrogel networks challenging and often resulting in phase separation or reduced material compatibility [1,2]. Here, we report the development of a soft, electroconductive hydrogel composed of alginate and bovine serum albumin (BSA) blended with the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS [poly(3,4-ethylenediox ythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)]. This composite system was optimized in concentration of PEDOT and BSA to develovepe cell-supportive hydogel of biopolymers with uniform and stable electrical conductivity, leveraging the dual ionic and electronic transport properties of PEDOT:PSS. The hydrogels were fabricated via a dual crosslinking strategy, thermal and ionic, and systematically characterized for their structural, mechanical, and electrical properties. Biocompatibility was evaluated using L929 fibroblasts and C2C12 myoblasts, revealing enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation on the conductive matrices [3,4]. Our findings demonstrate that this hybrid hydrogel platform supports structural integrity, biocompatibility, and effective signal propagation, key features for promoting neuromuscular tissue repair. By integrating conductive properties into a biologically favorable matrix, this study presents a promising strategy for advancing neuromuscular interface technologies and next-generation regenerative therapies.

Trauma-related neuromuscular injuries are complex and often involve both nerve damage and surrounding tissue disruption, making functional recovery particularly challenging. As a result, there is a growing need for materials that can act at the injury site to promote both nerve repair and healing of the surrounding tissue. Natural polymer-based hydrogels offer excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical compliance, which are essential for integration into neural tissue. In addition, electroconductive hydrogels have demonstrated the ability to enhance nerve regeneration by facilitating endogenous electrical signaling, known to support neuronal differentiation and axonal growth. However, many conductive polymers are hydrophobic and rigid, making their incorporation into hydrophilic hydrogel networks challenging and often resulting in phase separation or reduced material compatibility [1,2]. Here, we report the development of a soft, electroconductive hydrogel composed of alginate and bovine serum albumin (BSA) blended with the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS [poly(3,4-ethylenediox ythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)]. This composite system was optimized in concentration of PEDOT and BSA to develovepe cell-supportive hydogel of biopolymers with uniform and stable electrical conductivity, leveraging the dual ionic and electronic transport properties of PEDOT:PSS. The hydrogels were fabricated via a dual crosslinking strategy, thermal and ionic, and systematically characterized for their structural, mechanical, and electrical properties. Biocompatibility was evaluated using L929 fibroblasts and C2C12 myoblasts, revealing enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation on the conductive matrices [3,4]. Our findings demonstrate that this hybrid hydrogel platform supports structural integrity, biocompatibility, and effective signal propagation, key features for promoting neuromuscular tissue repair. By integrating conductive properties into a biologically favorable matrix, this study presents a promising strategy for advancing neuromuscular interface technologies and next-generation regenerative therapies.

electroconductive hydrogel, regenerative medicine, bovine serum albumin

electroconductive hydrogel, regenerative medicine, bovine serum albumin

ŠČOTKOVÁ, R.; KOUŘILOVÁ, L.; SEDLÁČEK, P.; FOHLEROVÁ, Z. a kol.

07.09.2025

Bristol

Book of Abstracts; 39th ECIS UK Colloids

https://ecisuk25-ddfc5.apps.crowdcomms.com/ecisuk25/modules/264719/abstracts

electrococnductive-hydrogel-as-multifunctional-substrate-for-neuromuscular-tissue-regeneration_-romana-ščotkovápdf