Genetic Engineered Ultrasound-Triggered Injectable Hydrogels for Promoting Bone Reconstruction
Zhenyu Zhao, Huitong Ruan, Aopan Chen, Wei Xiong, Mingzhu Zhang, Ming Cai, Wenguo Cui
Abstract
Genetic engineering technology can achieve specific gene therapy for a variety of diseases, but the current strategy still has some flaws, such as a complex system, single treatment, and large implantation trauma. Herein, the genetic engineering injectable hydrogels were constructed by ultrasonic technology for the first time to realize in vivo ultrasound-triggered in situ cross-linking and cell gene transfection, and finally complete in situ gene therapy to promote bone reconstruction. First, ultrasound-triggered calcium release was used to activate transglutaminase and catalyze the transamidation between fibrinogen. Simultaneously, liposome loaded with Zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) gene plasmid (Lip-ZEB1) was combined to construct an ultrasound-triggered in situ cross-linked hydrogels that can deliver Lip-ZEB1. Second, ultrasound-triggered injectable hydrogel introduced ZEB1 gene plasmid into endothelial cell genome through Lip-ZEB1 sustained release, and then acted on the ZEB1/Notch signal pathway of cells, promoting angiogenesis and local bone reconstruction of osteoporosis through genetic engineering. Overall, this strategy provides an advanced gene delivery system through genetic engineered ultrasound-triggered injectable hydrogels.