Filament-anchored hydrogel layer on polypropylene hernia mesh with robust anti-inflammatory effects

The efficacy of implanted polypropylene (PP) hernia meshes is often compromised by an inflammatory response. Thus, engineering an anti-inflammatory mesh has significant implications for hernioplasty. Here, we report a facile strategy to develop a filament-anchored hydrogel layer (FAHL) on PP mesh (FAHL-P). The network of FAHL, made up of chondroitin sulfate and gelatin (CG), provided a biomimetic surface with immunoregulatory properties. The use of tannic acid (TA) as a crosslinker for CG additionally enhanced its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the fabrication protocol ensured that the hydrogel maintained the properties of the knitted mesh and the firmly adherent FAHL during general handling (dry state) and in the simulated body environment (wet state). CG/TA-PP killed 99.99% of S. aureus and retained 73% of its original antioxidant properties after 7 d. The FAHL durably performed with a controlled release of TA for 15 d. The strong anti-inflammatory effects of FAHL-P reduced collagen deposition and increased vascularization, which promoted native tissue generation. The fabrication strategy has potential applications in hernioplasty and may provide new insights into the design of other anti-inflammatory implants. Statement of significance A hydrogel layer with robust anti-inflammatory effects was anchored firmly on mesh filament for hernia repair. Requiring no drug loading, this chondroitin sulphate-gelatin (CG) based hydrogel itself could inhibit the immunological attack owing to the biomimetic microenvironment created by the CG. Moreover, the hydrogel's crosslinker (tannic acid) content served as an effective scavenger for reducing pro inflammatory factors, significantly mitigating the inflammation. Interestingly, the antibacterial effect of such hydrogel layer was also observed. In terms of the synergistic outcome of the design, our mesh can remarkably attenuate inflammation and promote constructive tissue regeneration in vivo . Furthermore, considering the relatively simple and easily scaled up formulation process, our strategy may indeed have great potential in alleviating post-implantation outcomes. (c) 2021 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study introduced a hydrogel layer with anti-inflammatory effects anchored on PP mesh, which significantly reduced inflammation and promoted tissue regeneration. The hydrogel layer inhibited immunological attack through a biomimetic microenvironment and served as an effective scavenger for reducing pro-inflammatory factors. This innovative approach has potential applications in hernia repair and the design of other anti-inflammatory implants.