The microstructure of collagen type I gel cross-linked with gold nanoparticles.
Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, rheometry, and electrochemistry were used to provide insight into the microstructure of collagen type I gel (1%, w/v) modified with the tiopronin-protected (N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine) gold nanoparticles (TPAu), a multivalent crosslinker. The cross-linking reaction, performed via EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide) coupling, results in compliant, mechanically stable and continuous gels. The gels contain unusual interconnected collagen-TPAu particles. Electrochemical measurements of 4-hydroxy-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) (4HT) diffusion within the gel reveal that the gel hindrance is nearly independent of the TPAu concentration. The properties of the collagen-TPAu gel make it suitable for potential biomedical applications, such as delivery of small molecule drugs.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90840, United States.
Thomas
T
Schuetz
Nathan
N
Richmond
Marianne E
ME
Harmon
Joseph
J
Schuetz
Luciano
L
Castaneda
Katarzyna
K
Slowinska
D000465:Algorithms; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004058:Diffusion; D004548:Elasticity; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles; D013696:Temperature; D008625:Tiopronin / Q000737:chemistry; D014783:Viscosity
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024042:Collagen Type I; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006046:Gold; D008625:Tiopronin