Photocrosslinkable, biodegradable hydrogels with controlled cell adhesivity for prolonged siRNA delivery to hMSCs to enhance their osteogenic differentiation.

Photocrosslinked, biodegradable hydrogels have been extensively investigated for biomedical applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering. Here, dextran (DEX) was chemically modified with mono(2-acryloyloxyethyl) succinate (MAES) via an esterification reaction, resulting in macromers that could be photocrosslinked to form hydrolytically degradable hydrogels. Hydrogel swelling ratio and degradation rate were controlled by varying the degree of MAES modification.

Correction: Photocrosslinkable, biodegradable hydrogels with controlled cell adhesivity for prolonged siRNA delivery to hMSCs to enhance their osteogenic differentiation.

Correction for 'Photocrosslinkable, biodegradable hydrogels with controlled cell adhesivity for prolonged siRNA delivery to hMSCs to enhance their osteogenic differentiation' by Minh Khanh Nguyen et al., J. Mater.

Sustained localized presentation of RNA interfering molecules from in situ forming hydrogels to guide stem cell osteogenic differentiation.

To date, RNA interfering molecules have been used to differentiate stem cells on two-dimensional (2D) substrates that do not mimic three-dimensional (3D) microenvironments in the body. Here, in situ forming poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels were engineered for controlled, localized and sustained delivery of RNA interfering molecules to differentiate stem cells encapsulated within the 3D polymer network. RNA interfering molecules were released from the hydrogels in a sustained and controlled manner over the course of 3-6 weeks, and exhibited high bioactivity.

Large leg ulcers due to autoimmune diseases.

Background: Large leg ulcers (LLU) may complicate autoimmune diseases. They pose a therapeutic challenge and are often resistant to treatment. To report three cases of autoimmune diseases complicated with LLU.