Preparation of Injectable Hydrogels Immobilized with FGF Using UV-curable Hyaluronic Acid Derivatives

The aim of this study was to prepare injectable hydrogels that can effectively deliver drugs. Azidophenyl-hyaluronic acid derivatives (Az-HA) were prepared using natural polymer hyaluronic acid with biocompatibility and biodegradability. It was confirmed that azido group was successfully introduced into hyaluronic acid by FTIR and 1H NMR analysis. In addition, The maintenance of hydrogel properties of the prepared derivatives was examined using rheological analysis. Protein immobilization was confirmed using the photo-immobilization method, and the protein release experiment was conducted to confirm whether the protein drug immobilized with Az-HA derivative was continuously released. Through cytotoxicity test, the biocompatibility of Az-HA was confirmed. As a result of the intracellular administration of Az-HA immobilized with fibroblast growth factor (FGF), cell proliferation was confirmed. According to the result of the above experiments, the prepared UV-curable Az-HA are considered to have applicability as a biomedical material capable of effective delivery of drugs.