Stimulus Responsive Behavior of Elastin-Based Side Chain Polymers

Abstract

Linear poly(VPGVG) has been extensively studied over the years as a model for the structural protein elastin. Elastin is characterized by a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). This LCST can be influenced by several factors, mainly molecular weight, concentration, and pH. An ABA type block copolymer was synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), in which the VPGVG sequence is in the side chain of the A block and the B block is poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The LCST behavior of this series of elastin based side chain block copolymers was investigated by changing the degree of polymerization, polymer concentration, and pH. The effects of these parameters on the LCST of the side chain block copolymers were similar when compared with linear poly(VPGVG). The aggregates which were formed above the transition temperature were investigated using light scattering and cryo-SEM techniques.

Elastin as a biomaterial for tissue engineering

“…Ayres et al prepared a block copolymer with a central poly ethylene glycol (PEG) chain and polymethacrylate fl anking blocks whose side chains were functional with Val-Pro-Gly-Val-Gly. These hybrid materials maintained an LCST behaviour as they displayed a similar coacervation behaviour as tropoelastin [133]. Amino acid residues in the main chain of a linear elastin polypeptide have also been functionalised with methacrylate in order to obtain a photocrosslinkable site [168].…”

Design of Oligo(ethylene glycol)-Based Thermoresponsive Polymers: an Optimization Study

“…Yet, several other macromolecules exhibit a LCST in aqueous medium. For instance, three important alternative classes of thermoresponsive polymers have been identified during the last ten years: elastin-like polypeptides [8,9], poly(alkyl oxazolines) [10][11][12] and polymers with short oligo(ethylene glycol) side-chains [13]. The latter family is composed of different sub-classes.…”

Synthesis and assembly behavior of nucleobase‐functionalized block copolymers

“…25 Several examples in which peptide sequences are incorporated into polymer chains have been shown to control the material properties and enable self-assembly into well-defined nanoscale architectures. [26][27][28] Besides proteins, this could also apply to nucleobase block copolymers. In previous investigations, it already has been demonstrated that the incorporation of small oligonucleotide strands has vast potential to influence the aggregation of block copolymers.…”