Nucleoside-Based Cross-Linkers for Hydrogels with Tunable Properties

Abstract

Herein, we report bioderived cross-linkers to create biopolymer-based hydrogels with tunable properties. Nucleosides (inosine and uridine) and ribose (pentose sugar lucking the nitrogenous base) were partially oxidized to yield inosine dialdehyde (IdA), uridine dialdehyde (UdA), and ribose dialdehyde (RdA). The dialdehydes were further used as crosslinkers with polysaccharide chitosan to form hydrogels. Depending on the cross-linker type and concentration, the hydrogels showed tunable rheological, mechanical, and liquid holding properties allowing the preparation of injectable, soft, and moldable hydrogels. Computational modeling and molecular dynamics simulations shed light on hydrogel formation and revealed that, in addition to covalent bonding, noncovalent interactions (π−π stacking, cation−π, and H-bonding) also significantly contributed to the cross-linking process. To demonstrate various application possibilities, the prepared hydrogels were used as a growth platform for plant cells, as injectable inks for layer-by-layer 3D printing applications, and as moldable hydrogels for soft lithography to replicate the microstructure of the plant. These findings suggest that the obtained tunable biocompatible hydrogels have the potential to be good candidates for various biotechnological applications.

A Gas Therapy Strategy for Intestinal Flora Regulation and Colitis Treatment by Nanogel‐Based Multistage NO Delivery Microcapsules

“…[ 21 ] Subsequently, the prepared OHA was reacted with L‐Arg at 25 °C for 8 h, during which time the solution changed from transparent to a light yellow color (Figure 1d), indicating the successful formation of a C═N bond. [ 22 ] Indeed, in the corresponding FTIR spectrum (Figure 1e), the disappearance of the aldehyde group peak at 1719 cm −1 and the appearance of a new peak at 1667 cm −1 provided further evidence that the aldehyde group of OHA had reacted with the amine group of L‐Arg to form a C═N bond. In addition, the peak corresponding to the C─O stretching vibration of OHA shifted from 1614 to 1584 cm −1 , likely due to L‐Arg acting as a crosslinker by forming hydrogen bonds with the OHA and rendering the C─O bond more stable.…”

In Situ Transglutaminase Cross-Linking Improves Mechanical Properties of Self-Assembling Peptides for Biomedical Applications

“…59 In this case, instead, the reaction with TGase allowed obtaining a higher deformability while causing increased rigidities probably due to the achievement of a viscoplastic material, thus bestowing the tested scaffold with promising properties for in vivo applications. Interpretation of this finding will likely require dedicated molecular dynamic simulations, 60 extrapolating if any specific pattern of reticulation caused by TGase may hint to elongated crosslinked molecular structures or not. Furthermore, TGase cross-linking was evaluated in the presence of an additional amount of LDLK12.…”

Characterization of gelling agents in callus inducing media: Physical properties and their effect on callus growth

“…Numerous studies have highlighted the significant role of gelling agents in influencing callus, embryo, and organ development in tissue culture systems (Itzhakov et al, 2023; Mohamed et al, 2021; Ozel et al, 2008; Van Ark et al, 1991); none of which compared different gelling agents in the callus development context. In this study, we offer insights into the properties of these gelling agents and their potential contributions to the behavioral responses observed in tissue cultures.…”