A Supramolecular Hydrogel Inspired by Elastin

Abstract

Self-assembly prevails in nature and learning from nature will lead to biofunctional materials. Inspired by the protein of elastin, we reported in this study on a supramolecular hydrogel bearing the elastin repeating peptide of VPGAG. The visco-elasticity property, morphology of the nanostructures, and aromatic stacking in the self-assembled nanostructure were characterized by a rheometry, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and fluorescence microscope, respectively. The biocompatibility of the gelator was also proved by an MTT assay. Though the supramolecular hydrogel failed to exhibit a high elasticity like elastin, the thixotropic hydrogel might have potentials for the applications in fields of cell culture, controlled-drug release, etc.

Functional π-Gelators and Their Applications

“…Hydrogels have been found useful for biological applications. − The hydrogelator 302 (Chart ) generated by an enzyme catalyzed reaction from its precursor formed hydrogel inside cancer cells and inhibit cell growth . The gelator 302 was found to be less cytotoxic toward fibroblast cells (NIH3T3), when compared to HeLa cells.…”

“…A bioactive surface of 313 (Chart ) created on poly(3-caprolactone) fibers has been used to promote cell adhesion and proliferation . The pentapeptide of the protein elastin was incorporated as a part of 314 (Chart ) to develop a biocompatible hydrogel system . The cleavage of a disulfide carbonate linker by reductants, followed by a self-cyclization process resulted in a gelator 315 (Chart ) .…”

“…687 The pentapeptide of the protein elastin was incorporated as a part of 314 (Chart 77) to develop a biocompatible hydrogel system. 688 The cleavage of a disulfide carbonate linker by reductants, followed by a self-cyclization process resulted in a gelator 315 (Chart 77). 689 Even though a total conversion was not achieved, stable hydrogel formation occurred.…”

Sequence-Defined Peptidocopolymers: The Effect of Small Molecular Linkers

“…Among different types of β-turn found in proteins, type I and II are commonly found in nature (Supporting Information Figure S1), of which typical internal hydrogen bonds were formed by H (1)··· O (5) and H (4)··· O (2) of the standard pentapeptide repeating unit . Among many β-turn rich proteins, the elastins, which conferring elasticity to tissues and organs, have mostly been studied in recent years . More specifically, they are featured by repeating unit VPGVG (Val-Pro-Gly-Val-Gly) and GPGGA (Gly-Pro-Gly-Gly-Ala) in mammal or silk fibers , (Supporting Information Figure S2).…”

Electrochemical determination of phloroglucinol using a carbon nanotube modified electrode enhanced by surfactant

“…Up to now, only a few analytical methods have been developed for the determination of phloroglucinol, including fluorimetry [1], thin-layer chromatography [2,3], high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [4,5] and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) [6]. However, HPLC and GC-MS methods have disadvantages such as being time consuming and having high cost.…”