Bioactive Injectable and Self-Healing Hydrogel Via Cell-Free Fat Extract for Endometrial Regeneration

Abstract

The damaged endometrium and the formation of fibrosis are key barriers to pregnancy and further lead to infertility. However, how to promote endometrium repair is always a challenge. Here, a bioactive injectable and self-healing hydrogel is developed by physically combination of thiolated polyethylene (PEG), Cu²⁺ and cell-free fat extract (CEFFE, CF) for endometrial regeneration and fertility. By inheriting the advantages of various active proteins contained in CEFFE, it could induce the overall repair of endometrial microenvironment for intrauterine adhesion (IUA). In vitro, CF@Cu-PEG reduces endometrial cell apoptosis by more than 50%, and increases angiogenesis by 92.8%. In the IUA mouse, injection of CF@Cu-PEG significantly reduces the rate of uterine hydrometra and prevents the formation of endometrial fibrosis. Remarkably, CF@Cu-PEG contributes to the repair of endometrial microstructure, especially increases the number of endometrial pinopodes, significantly improves endometrial receptivity, and increases the pregnancy rate of IUA mice from 7.14% to 66.67%. In summary, through the physically combination of CEFFE and Cu-PEG, the construction of loaded bioactive injectable hydrogel not only inhibits the IUA, but also induces the self-repair of endometrial cells in situ and improves fertility, providing a new strategy for IUA repair in clinical application.

Keywords: Cu 2+; SH-PEG; cell-free fat extract; endometrial regeneration; fertility; intrauterine adhesion.