Microstructural and tensile properties of elastin-based polypeptides crosslinked with genipin and pyrroloquinoline quinone.
Elastin is an elastomeric, self-assembling extracellular matrix protein with potential for use in biomaterials applications. Here, we compare the microstructural and tensile properties of the elastin-based recombinant polypeptide (EP) EP20-244 crosslinked with either genipin (GP) or pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ). Recombinant EP-based sheets were produced via coacervation and subsequent crosslinking. The micron-scale topography of the GP-crosslinked sheets examined with atomic force microscopy revealed the presence of extensive mottling compared with that of the PQQ-crosslinked sheets, which were comparatively smoother. Confocal microscopy showed that the subsurface porosity in the GP-crosslinked sheets was much more open. GP-crosslinked EP-based sheets exhibited significantly greater tensile strength (P < or = 0.05). Mechanistically, GP appears to yield a higher crosslink density than PQQ, likely due to its capacity to form short-range and long-range crosslinks. In conclusion, GP is able to strongly modulate the microstructural and mechanical properties of elastin-based polypeptide biomaterials forming membranes with mechanical properties similar to native insoluble elastin.
Vieth
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School of Chemical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Bellingham
C M
CM
Keeley
F W
FW
Hodge
S M
SM
Rousseau
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D
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008239:Lysine / Q000737:chemistry; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D045542:PQQ Cofactor / Q000737:chemistry*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D010455:Peptides; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D045542:PQQ Cofactor; D004549:Elastin; C007834:genipin; D008239:Lysine