Inclusion of Cross-Linked Elastin in Gelatin/PEG Hydrogels Favourably Influences Fibroblast Phenotype

Abstract

The capacity of a biomaterial to innately modulate cell behavior while meeting the mechanical property requirements of the implant is a much sought-after goal within bioengineering. Here we covalently incorporate soluble elastin into a gelatin-poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel for threedimensional (3D) cell encapsulation to achieve these properties. The inclusion of elastin into a previously optimized gelatin-PEG hydrogel was then evaluated for effects on entrapped fibroblasts, with the aim to assess the hydrogel as an extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking 3D microenvironment for cellular guidance. Soluble elastin was incorporated both physically and covalently into novel gelatin/elastin hybrid PEG hydrogels with the aim to harness the cellular interactivity and mechanical tunability of both elastin and gelatin. This design allowed us to assess the benefits of elastin-containing hydrogels in guiding fibroblast activity for evaluation as a potential dermal replacement. It was found that a gelatin-PEG hydrogel with covalently conjugated elastin, supported neonatal fibroblast viability, promoted their proliferation from 7.3% to 13.5% and guided their behavior. The expression of collagen alpha-1(COL1A1) and elastin in gelatin/elastin hybrid gels increased 16-fold and 6-fold compared to control sample at day 9, respectively. Moreover, cells can be loaded into the hydrogel precursor solution, deposited, and the matrix cross-linked without affecting the incorporated cells adversely, thus enabling a potential injectable system for dermal wound healing.

Attenuating Fibrotic Markers of Patient-Derived Dermal Fibroblasts by Thiolated Lignin Composites

“…When porcine valvular interstitial cells were encapsulated in MMP-degradable PEG hydrogels, addition of TGFβ1 significantly increased the expression of ACTA2 and COL1A1 by day 2 71 . A PEG/gelatin composite with covalently bound elastin increased a 19-fold increase of COL1A1 but a significant reduction in the expression of ACTA2 over 9 days in culture 72 . While the rate of expression is not directly comparable, these data indicate that the incorporation of TLS modulates the expression of COL1A1 and ACTA2 much faster than biomaterial composites without antioxidant capacity.…”

Self‐Assembly and Mechanical Properties of Engineered Protein Based Multifunctional Nanofiber for Accelerated Wound Healing

“…Angiogenesis is one of the significant events that regulates and promotes wound healing. [5] There are not many materials except hydrogels made up of modified collagen, [6][7][8] elastin, [9,10] gelatin, [11,12] and fibrin, [13,14] selfassembled short oligopeptides [15,16] and synthetic polymers immobilized with growth factors promoting angiogenesis [17,18] that has been reported thus far, and it remains a challenge to develop biomaterials with manipulation of protein parameters. Biomaterials that induce angiogenic growth factors to restore the reduced capillary density for improving naturally deteriorated microcirculation in ischemic and normoxic tissue would be an ideal choice for wound dressing.…”

“…E) MALDI-TOF analysis of GFPDOPA and F) GFPDPBA. G)11 B-NMR spectrum demonstrating a clean conjugation between GFPDOPA and boric acid at neutral pH. H) Antibacterial effect of PVA, GFP, GFPDOPA, and GFPDPBA at different pH (6, 6.5, and 7.4).…”

Characterization of Biocompatible Hydrogel Lenses Using Methacrylic Acid with Neodymium Oxide Nanoparticles

“…This advantage has been used to mainly use it as a biomechanical material for treatment of wounds. The development of therapeutic material, which uses antimicrobial substances such as thaizole to form hydrogel materials, is still underway [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In this case, unlike the contact lens, it is not necessary to ensure the transparency of the material [ 18 ].…”