title: Enzymatic stabilization of gelatin-based scaffolds.
abstract: The definitive goal of this research is to develop protein-based scaffolds for use in soft tissue regeneration, particularly in the field of dermal healing. The premise of this investigation was to characterize the mechanical properties of gelatin cross-linked with microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) and to investigate the cytocompatibility of mTGase cross-linked gelatin. Dynamic rheological analysis revealed a significant increase in the storage modulus and thermal stability of gelatin after cross-linking with mTGase. Static, unconfined compression tests showed an increase in Young's modulus of gelatin gels after mTGase cross-linking. A comparable increase in gel strength was observed with 0.03% mTGase and 0.25% glutaraldehyde cross-linked gelatin gels. In vitro studies using 3T3 fibroblasts indicated cytotoxicity at a concentration of 0.05% mTGase after 72 h. However, no significant inhibition of cell proliferation was seen with cells grown on lower concentrations of mTGase cross-linked gelatin substrates. The mechanical improvement and cytocompatibility of mTGase cross-linked gelatin suggests mTGase has potential for use in stabilizing gelatin gels for tissue-engineering applications.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Emmett P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Broderick
authors.forename: Damien M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: O'Halloran
authors.forename: Yury A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Rochev
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Russell J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Collighan
authors.forename: Abhay S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Pandit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005976:Glutaral / Q000378:metabolism; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D013552:Swine; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D005780:Gelatin; D011503:Transglutaminases; D005976:Glutaral