Development and characterisation of novel cross-linked bio-elastomeric materials

Abstract

Recombinantly-engineered elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) possess many of the favourable attributes of the native elastin protein, making them an attractive option for designing biomaterials for tissue-engineering applications. The focus of this study was to synthesize and characterise the bulk material properties of two ELP sequences, ELP2 and ELP4, cross-linked with lysine diisocyanate (LDI). The two distinct ELPs consist of repeating hydrophobic and hydrophilic cross-linking domains in a block co-polymer structure, however, differ by the number of respective domains. Depending on the conditions sets for the cross-linking reactions, two different ELP-based materials were synthesized: a gel-like relatively non-porous material and a porous foam-like material, from both ELP sequences. The physical material properties were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, compression testing, differential calorimetry analysis and swelling analysis. The bulk material properties were found to vary depending on the ELP sequence investigated. ELP gels were also found to have a more dense solidified morphology, lower compressive moduli, higher melting temperature and greater swelling capacity than the porous ELP foams. These novel cross-linked bio-elastomeric materials show promising properties for soft tissue replacement, particularly in load-bearing applications.

Fabrication of porous chitosan scaffolds for soft tissue engineering using dense gas CO2

“…In our study, GA-crosslinked hydrogels exhibited higher ESR, but lower compressive moduli, than GP-system. This phenomenon is consistent with the data previously published by Srokowski et al where lower swelling ratio for lysine diisocyanate-crosslinked hydrogels exhibited higher compressive modulus [60].…”

The effect of elastin on chondrocyte adhesion and proliferation on poly (ɛ-caprolactone)/elastin composites

“…The presence of elastin within the PCL matrix imparted hydrophilicity to the scaffold and increased its water uptake content. In general, samples with greater water uptake have a lower compressive modulus [23,33,34]. Therefore, the lower compressive modulus of the composites is probably due to their higher water uptake as compared to PCL scaffolds.…”

Nano and Micro-Structures of Elastin-Like Polypeptide-Based Materials and Their Applications: Recent Developments

“…THPP is a trifunctional cross-linker that contains hydroxymethylphosphine groups, which react with primary amines (e.g., lysines) via Mannich type condensation reaction. 40,41 Other amine-reactive cross-linkers such as glutaraldehyde, disuccinimidyl glutarate, 33,42-44 hexamethylene diisocyanate, 45 lysine diisocyanate, 46 bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) and disuccinimidyl suberate 47 have been used to cross-link ELPs in aqueous or organic solvents.…”