Injectable Polypeptide Hydrogel as Biomimetic Scaffolds with Tunable Bioactivity and Controllable Cell Adhesion

Abstract

Injectable hydrogels have been widely investigated for applications in biomedical fields, for instance, as biomimetic scaffolds mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition to as scaffolds for mechanical support and transferring of nutrients, the dynamic bioactivity of ECM is another critical factor that affects cell behavior. In this work, a novel injectable poly(l-glutamic acid)-based hydrogel decorated with RGD was fabricated. The presentation of RGD significantly enhanced the cell-matrix interaction and promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, the cell-adhesive RGD was conjugated to the network via a disulfide bond, so that the density of RGD and the bioactivity of hydrogel can be well controlled by tuning the RGD content through treating with glutathione. As a result, the cell behaviors on the hydrogel can be tuned on demand. The injectable hydrogel with controllable bioactivity may provide an interesting strategy to develop a scaffold mimicking ECM that can regulate cell adhesion dynamically.

An Injectable Self‐Healing Multifluorescent Hydrogel Formed by Engineered Coiled‐Coil Polypeptide and Quantum Dots

“…However, the applications of polymer hydrogels in biomedical are still limited due to their toxicity and biodegradability. To address these issues, we chose genetically engineered polypeptides to prepare hydrogels due to their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability . The degradation products of polypeptide hydrogels are naturally occurring amino acids.…”

Achieving Controlled Biomolecule–Biomaterial Conjugation

“…The most commonly used reagents in tissue engineering are based upon reactive pyridylthio-disulfides, which undergo rapid thiol-exchange to release the poorly nucleophilic and spectroscopically active 2-mercaptopyridine. 167 − 170 The resultant conjugation products are largely stable under ambient conditions. However, due to the reversible nature of disulfide bond formation, cleavage can be controlled with temporal precision by the addition of reducing agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT) or glutathione.…”

Injectable Hydrogels as Unique Platforms for Local Chemotherapeutics‐Based Combination Antitumor Therapy

“…Injectable chemically cross‐linked hydrogels are generated by introducing covalent linkages between polymer chains through Schiff's base reactions, photo‐irradiation, enzyme, Michael‐type addition reaction, disulfide formation, and Diels–Alder reaction . Once intermolecular cross‐linking has occurred with adequate cross‐linking density due to the generation of new covalent bonds, three‐dimensional (3D) network structures may be formed.…”