Biology subjects

Link, K. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Link, K. A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Melt Electrowritten Scaffold-Reinforced Affibody-Conjugated Hydrogels for Controlled Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Delivery

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is clinically used to promote bone regeneration but suffers from uncontrolled release when delivered from collagen sponges, necessitating high doses that can cause adverse effects. Hydrogels offer tunable protein release but are limited by weak mechanics and poor stability during storage and handling. Here, we introduce a two-part protein delivery platform that integrates mechanical reinforcement with affinity-controlled protein release. We developed a melt electrowritten (MEW) scaffold-reinforced, affibody-conjugated polyethylene glycol maleimide (PEG-mal) hydrogel for affinity-controlled BMP-2 delivery. MEW scaffolds improved hydrogel handling, compressive resistance, and stability during lyophilization and rehydration, without altering bulk stiffness. Engineered BMP-2-specific affibodies provided affinity-based control over BMP-2 release. This ability to control BMP-2 release was preserved after lyophilization and rehydration of the hydrogels. In vivo, affibody conjugation of high-affinity affibodies to the hydrogels significantly enhanced BMP-2 retention in subcutaneous implants, while MEW reinforcement significantly increased bone volume and defect bridging in rat femoral bone defects. This affibody-conjugated, MEW scaffold-reinforced hydrogel system effectively integrates mechanical reinforcement with tunable protein-material affinity interactions, advancing hydrogel-based delivery strategies for BMP-2 and other protein therapeutics in musculoskeletal repair.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

Improving Functional Muscle Regeneration in Volumetric Muscle Loss Injuries by Shifting the Balance of Inflammatory and Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators

Severe tissue loss resulting from extremity trauma, such as volumetric muscle loss (VML), poses significant clinical challenges for both general and military populations. VML disrupts the endogenous tissue repair mechanisms, resulting in acute and unresolved chronic inflammation and immune cell presence, impaired muscle healing, scar tissue formation, persistent pain, and permanent functional deficits. The aberrant healing response is preceded by acute inflammation and immune cell infiltration which does not resolve. We analyzed the biosynthesis of inflammatory and specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) after VML injury in two different models; muscle with critical-sized defects had a decreased capacity to biosynthesize SPMs, leading to dysregulated and persistent inflammation. We developed a modular poly(ethylene glycol)-maleimide hydrogel platform to locally release a stable isomer of Resolvin D1 (AT-RvD1) and promote endogenous pathways of inflammation resolution in the two muscle models. The local delivery of AT-RvD1 enhanced muscle regeneration, improved muscle function, and reduced pain sensitivity after VML by promoting molecular and cellular resolution of inflammation. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of VML and establish a pro-resolving hydrogel therapeutic as a promising strategy for promoting functional muscle regeneration after traumatic injury.

bioengineering↗