Heparin Interacting Protein Mediated Assembly of Nano‐Fibrous Hydrogel Scaffolds for Guided Stem Cell Differentiation

A new methodology is developed to conjugate hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel with novel nano‐fibrous architectures via non‐covalent assembly that specifically allows for targeted adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) differentiation and soft tissue engineering. The assembly of non‐covalently associated hydrogel network produced via the interaction of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) modified HA derivative and heparin interacting protein (HIP). The multifunctional star poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and HIP copolymer has the capability to mediate the non‐covalent assembly of nano‐fibrous HA hydrogel networks via affinity interactions with LMWH. The effect of the HIP mediation on in vitro gelation, rheological characteristics, degradation, equilibrium swelling, adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) proliferation and differentiation of nano‐fibrous hydrogel is examined. The results suggest the potential utility of this unique design of the bioactive nano‐fibrous HA hydrogel in directing the differentiation of ASCs and adipogenesis in ECM‐mimetic scaffolds in vitro. These studies demonstrate that this nano‐fibrous HA hydrogel can render the formulation of a therapeutically effective platform for in vitro adipogenesis applications.