Direct Bonding of Chitosan Biomaterials to Tissues Using Transglutaminase for Surgical Repair or Device Implantation.

Natural biomaterials, such as chitosan and collagen, are useful for biomedical applications because they are biocompatible, mechanically robust, and biodegradable, but it is difficult to rapidly and tightly bond them to living tissues. In this study, we demonstrate that the microbial transglutaminase (mTG), can be used to rapidly (<5 min) bond chitosan and collagen biomaterials to the surfaces of hepatic, cardiac, and dermal tissues, as well as to functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials that are used in medical products. The mTG-bonded chitosan patches effectively sealed intestinal perforations, and a newly developed two-component mTG-bonded chitosan spray effectively repaired ruptures in a breathing lung when tested ex vivo.

Biomaterial-based vaccine induces regression of established intracranial glioma in rats.

Purpose: The prognosis for glioma patients is poor, and development of new treatments is critical. Previously, we engineered polymer-based vaccines that control GM-CSF, CpG-oligonucleotide, and tumor-lysate presentation to regulate immune cell trafficking and activation, which promoted potent immune responses against peripheral tumors. Here, we extend the use of this system to glioma.