ZWITTERIONIC POLY(CARBOXYBETAINE) HYDROGELS FOR STEM CELL EXPANSION AND DRUG DELIVERY
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Zwitterionic hydrogels have attracted attention because they combine strong hydration withultra-low, non-specific adsorption, making them suitable for bio-interface coating and the establishment of in vitro implants. The hydration layer helps prevent proteins and cells from binding, so the environment stays clean. Based on these properties, we aimed to build a reproducible zwitterionic network and to demonstrate its applications in the biomedical field. Therefore, we need a reproducible platform based on a zwitterionic network. In this study, we follow published methods to build a poly(carboxybetaine)(PCB) hydrogel platform. Then, we controlled the reaction by fixing the DBCO: N₃ molar ratio and the crosslinking conditions, ensuring the resulting PCB hydrogels had a reproducible network structure and comparable mechanical properties. Mechanical properties are measured by compression tests. In this matrix, human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are encapsulated in a three-dimensional matrix, cultured, and assessed for viability, proliferation, and surface marker expression. In the second application, hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs are encapsulated in microspheres and subsequently embedded within the hydrogel; encapsulation efficiency (EE) was quantified, and monthly release from the embedded microspheres will be studied in future work. The results indicate that this mechanically tunable zwitterionic network provides repeatable measurements of HSCs expansion and serves as a convenient depot for incorporating drug-loaded microspheres. Overall, the PCB hydrogel shows practical utility for in vitro HSC expansion and promising potential for long-acting drug release.