Play‐Doh Inspired a Transformative, Shape‐Adaptive iHEÄLS Enabling Post‐Crosslinking Mechanical‐Biological Modulation and Its Effectiveness in Musculoskeletal Repair
Abstract
ABSTRACT Resorbable biomaterials are being developed as alternatives to traditional medical fillers for musculoskeletal repair. However, current materials fail to provide stable wound sealing and tissue regeneration due to inadequate conformal adaptability to irregular defects, weak adhesion in wet environments, and insufficient mechanical robustness balanced with biodegradability. Here, we present iHEÄLS, a transformative, shape‐adaptive biomaterial inspired by Play‐Doh, composed of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)‐based triple‐networks. The interactions among the triple‐networks enable conformal defect filling, robust tissue adhesion, and shape stabilization through self‐healing. Mechanical training after crosslinking reinforces the network through aligned polymer chains and uniformly oriented CNC. As a biodegradable extracellular matrix, iHEÄLS promotes cell migration and osteogenic differentiation by leveraging nanomaterial incorporation and post‐crosslinking mechanical training to amplify bioactivity and mechanotransduction signaling. Additionally, iHEÄLS demonstrates enhanced hemostasis by quickly absorbing biofluids while maintaining malleability, facilitating effective mixing with autologous bone fragments, and promoting bone regeneration in a critical‐sized calvarial defect model. Overall, iHEÄLS integrates post‐crosslinking mechanical‐biological modulability with user‐friendly handling, providing a practical platform for musculoskeletal repair in emergencies.
Article Details
Authors (21)
Niyou Wang
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA
Chao Liang
Soo A Kim
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA
Jessica Heline Lopes da Fonseca
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA
María José Veana Hernandez
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA
Zahra Rezaei
Alvaro Dario Martinez Blanco
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA
Nicole Joy Bassous
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA
Da Seul Kim
Yejin Jo
Tae Young Kim
Yipei Yang
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA
Ziqi Huang
School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Siyuan Chen
Feiming Li
Biofunctional Materials Division of Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care Faculty of Dentistry The University of Hong Kong Sai Ying Pun Hong Kong SAR People's Republic of China
Marcos Akira dAvila
Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering School of Mechanical Engineering University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
June‐Seo Kim
Division of Nanotechnology Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) Daegu Republic of Korea
Misun Kang
Jungmok Seo
Sang Jin Lee
Su Ryon Shin
Division of Engineering in Medicine Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Cambridge Massachusetts USA