title: Peptide-modified "smart" hydrogels and genetically engineered stem cells for skeletal tissue engineering.
abstract: Stimuli responsive or "smart" hydrogels are of interest for tissue-engineering applications, featuring the advantages of minimally invasive application. Currently, these materials have yet to be used as a biological replacement in restoring the function of damaged tissues or organs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the advantages of thermoresponsive, peptide-containing hydrogels as a supportive matrix for genetically engineered stem cells. We used injectable hydrogels, enabling cell delivery to the desired site and providing adequate scaffolding postimplantation. Thermoresponsive hydrogels were developed based on amphiphilic block copolymers of polyethylene-oxide and polypropylene-oxide end-capped with methacrylate or maleimide entities and further reacted with RGD-containing peptides. Cell metabolic activity and survival within those hydrogels was studied, illustrating that the stable peptide-polymer conjugate is required for prolonged cell support. The unique polymer characteristics, combined with its enhanced cell interactions, suggest the potential use of these biomaterials in various tissue engineering applications.
authors.affiliation: Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givaat Ram Campus, Jerusalem, Israel, 91904. garty@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Shai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garty
authors.forename: Nadav
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kimelman-Bleich
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hayouka
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cohn
authors.forename: Assaf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friedler
authors.forename: Gadi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelled
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gazit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D012995:Solubility; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: C525718:BMP2 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D020100:Hydrogels; D009842:Oligopeptides; D004247:DNA