Modulating the Viscoelastic Properties of Covalently Crosslinked Protein Hydrogels

Boni, Rossana; Regan, Lynne

doi:10.3390/gels9060481

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

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“…Hydrogels have been recently introduced as suitable alternatives as absorbent materials due to their highly porous structure and adsorbing functional groups, as well as their large surface area and high swelling ability [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. They are colloidal materials that possess a three-dimensional (3D) network based on amphipathic polymer building blocks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Magnetogels for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water

Haghighi

Binaymotlagh

Chronopoulou

et al. 2023

Gels

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In this study, we present the synthesis of a novel peptide-based magnetogel obtained through the encapsulation of γ-Fe2O3-polyacrylic acid (PAA) nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3NPs) into a hydrogel matrix, used for enhancing the ability of the hydrogel to remove Cr(III), Co(II), and Ni(II) pollutants from water. Fmoc-Phe (Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-Phenylalanine) and diphenylalanine (Phe2) were used as starting reagents for the hydrogelator (Fmoc-Phe3) synthesis via an enzymatic method. The PAA-coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized in a separate step, using the co-precipitation method, and encapsulated into the peptide-based hydrogel. The resulting organic/inorganic hybrid system (γ-Fe2O3NPs-peptide) was characterized with different techniques, including FT-IR, Raman, UV-Vis, DLS, ζ-potential, XPS, FESEM-EDS, swelling ability tests, and rheology. Regarding the application in heavy metals removal from aqueous solutions, the behavior of the obtained magnetogel was compared to its precursors and the effect of the magnetic field was assessed. Four different systems were studied for the separation of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions, including (1) γ-Fe2O3NPs stabilized with PAA, (γ-Fe2O3NPs); (2) Fmoc-Phe3 hydrogel (HG); (3) γ-Fe2O3NPs embedded in peptide magnetogel (γ-Fe2O3NPs@HG); and (4) γ-Fe2O3NPs@HG in the presence of an external magnetic field. To quantify the removal efficiency of these four model systems, the UV-Vis technique was employed as a fast, cheap, and versatile method. The results demonstrate that both Fmoc-Phe3 hydrogel and γ-Fe2O3NPs peptide magnetogel can efficiently remove all the tested pollutants from water. Interestingly, due to the presence of magnetic γ-Fe2O3NPs inside the hydrogel, the removal efficiency can be enhanced by applying an external magnetic field. The proposed magnetogel represents a smart multifunctional nanosystem with improved absorption efficiency and synergic effect upon applying an external magnetic field. These results are promising for potential environmental applications of γ-Fe2O3NPs-peptide magnetogels to the removal of pollutants from aqueous media.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Magnetogels for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water

Haghighi

Binaymotlagh

Chronopoulou

et al. 2023

Gels

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Harnessing the Antioxidative Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium in Photopolymerized GelMA Hydrogels

Yamada,

Al-Sharabi,

Torelli

et al. 2024

Biomater Res

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Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) stands out for its biocompatibility, tunability, and functionality, being often selected as a scaffolding material. However, the biological modulations induced by its photocrosslinking process on mesenchymal stem cells as well as stress mitigation measures remain insufficiently explored. By using GelMA of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) grade, this study aimed (a) to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the biological effects of photocrosslinking process with a specific focus on oxidative stress and (b) to develop a strategy to mitigate the adverse effects by employing conditioned medium (CM) by dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Following photocrosslinking, pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and DNA repair were enriched in the presence of DPSC-CM carrying various antioxidants such as peroxiredoxin (PRDX) 1–6 and superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1), while the control samples exhibited enrichment in inflammatory signaling pathways. Incorporating DPSC-CM into the hydrogel notably reduced the degree of cellular oxidation caused by photocrosslinking and stress responses, resulting in improved cell viability, growth, motility, and osteogenic differentiation, as well as fewer apoptotic and senescent cells compared to those without DPSC-CM. The deteriorated biocompatibility of freshly crosslinked GelMA hydrogel was confirmed by the disrupted vasculature of chorioallantoic membranes in chicken embryos after implantation, which was prevented by DPSC-CM. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the robust antioxidative effects of DPSC-CM, mitigating the negative effect of GelMA photocrosslinking processes.

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Modulating the Viscoelastic Properties of Covalently Crosslinked Protein Hydrogels

Cited by 2 publications

References 27 publications

Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Magnetogels for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water

Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Magnetogels for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water

Harnessing the Antioxidative Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium in Photopolymerized GelMA Hydrogels

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