title: Physical properties of artificial extracellular matrix protein films prepared by isocyanate crosslinking.
abstract: Artificial extracellular matrix proteins, genetically engineered from elastin- and fibronectin-derived repeating units, were crosslinked with hexamethylene diisocyanate in dimethylsulfoxide. The resulting hydrogel films were transparent, uniform, and highly extensible. Their tensile moduli depended on crosslinker concentration and spanned the range characteristic of native elastin. The water content of the films was low ( approximately 27%), but the temperature-dependent swelling behavior of the crosslinked materials was reminiscent of the lower critical solution temperature property of the soluble polymers.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 210-41, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Nowatzki
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Tirrell
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D040761:Biomimetic Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D003485:Cyanates / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D017953:Isocyanates; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003485:Cyanates; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D020100:Hydrogels; D017953:Isocyanates; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C015262:1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate