Biocompatibility and modification of the protein-based adhesive secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti.
When provoked, Notaden bennetti frogs secrete a proteinaceous exudate, which rapidly forms a tacky and elastic glue. This material has potential in biomedical applications. Cultured cells attached and proliferated well on glue-coated tissue culture polystyrene, but migrated somewhat slower than on uncoated surfaces. In organ culture, dissolved glue successfully adhered collagen-coated perfluoropolyether lenses to debrided bovine corneas and supported epithelial regrowth. Small pellets of glue implanted subcutaneously into mice were resorbed by surrounding tissues, and all of the animals made a full recovery. An initial but transient skin necrosis at the implant site was probably caused by some of the potentially toxic metabolites present in the frog secretion; these include sterols and carotenoids, as well as fatty alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and aromatic compounds. Removal of the carotenoid pigments did not significantly alter the glue's material properties. In contrast, peroxidase treatment of dissolved glue introduced unnatural crosslinks between molecules of the major protein (Nb-1R) and resulted in the formation of a soft hydrogel, which was very different to the original material.
Graham
Lloyd D
LD
CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Sydney Laboratory, P.O. Box 184, North Ryde, New South Wales 1670, Australia. lloyd.graham@csiro.au
Danon
Stephen J
SJ
Johnson
Graham
G
Braybrook
Carl
C
Hart
Noel K
NK
Varley
Russell J
RJ
Evans
Margaret D M
MD
McFarland
Gail A
GA
Tyler
Michael J
MJ
Werkmeister
Jerome A
JA
Ramshaw
John A M
JA
D000096:Acetone / Q000737:chemistry; D000269:Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
D000269:Adhesives; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004731:Endotoxins; D012997:Solvents; D000096:Acetone