Colloidal-fibrillar composite gels demonstrate structural reinforcement, secondary fibrillar alignment, and improved vascular healing outcomes
Many biological tissues contain colloids within a fibrillar structure. Here, we develop and characterize colloidal-fibrillar scaffolds through examination of the effects of relative colloid and fiber ratios within a fibrin-based model system composed of fibrin-based nanoparticles (FBNs) within a natural fibrin scaffold. At lower concentrations, FBNs primarily integrate into the fibrillar fibrin matrix, strengthening it. At high concentrations, colloid-colloid interactions dominate and FBNs primarily form a highly aligned secondary structure that does not strengthen the fibrillar matrix. At intermediate concentrations, both reinforcement of the fibrin matrix and colloid-colloid interactions are observed. Our characterization of this colloidal-fibrillar system provides insight into new avenues for wound healing biomaterial development. Using structural and mechanical results, we developed a biomimetic surgical sealant. When applied to a vascular healing model, FBN gel resulted in improved vessel healing. This colloidal-fibrillar composite can greatly improve healing outcomes and should be applied to other tissues.
Authors
- Brigid V. Troan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2212-2167)
- Anastasia Sheridan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0255-6929)
- William J. Polacheck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2728-0746)
- Mansoor A. Haider (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3096-1203)
- J Legrand (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8105-9079)
- Sarah Ozawa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9038-8795)
- Ashley C. Brown (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6995-1785)
- Nina Moiseiwitsch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7406-0258)
- Kimberly Nellenbach (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7291-6750)
- Nicole Zwennes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6928-9349)
- Eunice Chee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1954-7909)
- Wen Yih Aw (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1724-412X)
- Sanika Pandit
Institutions
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- North Carolina State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Engineering
- Published
- 2025-04-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00400-x
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Intracranial Aneurysms: Treatment and Complications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.78
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- North Carolina State University
- National Institutes of Health
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation
- Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems