Antibacterial and cell-adhesive polypeptide and poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel as a potential scaffold for wound healing

Abstract

The ideal wound healing scaffold should provide the appropriate physical and mechanical properties to prevent secondary infection, as well as an excellent physiological environment to facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation and/or differentiation. Therefore, we developed a synthetic cell-adhesive polypeptide hydrogel with inherent antibacterial activity. A series of polypeptides, poly(Lys)x(Ala)y (x+y=100) with varied hydrophobicity via metal-free ring-opening polymerization of NCA-Lys(Boc) and NCA-Ala monomers (NCA = N-carboxylic anhydride) mediated by hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) were synthesized. These polypeptides were cross-linked with 6-arm PEG-amide succinimidyl glutarate (ASG) (Mw = 10K) to form hydrogels with a gelation time of five minutes and a storage modulus (G') of 1400–3000 Pa as characterized by rheometry. The hydrogel formed by cross-linking of poly(Lys)60(Ala)40 (5 wt%) and 6-arm PEG-ASG (16 wt%) (Gel-III) exhibited cell adhesion and cell proliferation activities superior to other polypeptide hydrogels. In addition, Gel-III displays significant antibacterial activity against E. coli JM109 and S. aureus ATCC25923. Thus, we have developed a novel, cell-adhesive hydrogel with inherent antibacterial activity as a potential scaffold for cutaneous wound healing.

Biomaterials and Nanotherapeutics for Enhancing Skin Wound Healing

“…They tested it in vitro with human keratinocytes and found higher cell proliferation and biocompatibility compared to chemically cross-linked constructs. Synthetic hydrogels with variable lengths of polypeptides linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been shown to have both antibacterial and cell adhesive properties (Song et al, 2012). Standalone hydrogels for wound healing is a promising approach and provide a starting point for delivering bioactive agents through direct conjugation or encapsulation as discussed below.…”

Ambivalent Adhesives: Combining Biomimetic Cross-Linking with Antiadhesive Oligo(ethylene glycol)

“…Generally speaking, OEG is considered to prevent adhesion, 18 although coatings and adhesives containing OEG have been reported. 2,4,6–8,15–44 The simplest approach to adhering OEG is blending the polymer with a common glue such as an epoxy. 39 Significant adhesion can result, although potential problems include phase separation of polymers and domination of the physical properties by the host adhesive matrix.…”

<I>In Vitro</I> and <I>In Vivo</I> Evaluation of Pectin/Copper Exchanged Faujasite Composite Membranes

“…Advanced biological dressing materials containing antibacterial agents improve the quality of healing and decrease healing time. 57 However the disadvantages are high cost, uncontrolled release of antibiotics and complex route of preparation. Our aim was to exploit the potential of Fc incorporated composite membranes for aiding controlled release of copper that inhibits bacteria at the wound site, and help in easy regeneration of fibroblast cells.…”