title: Enzyme-degradable self-assembled hydrogels from polyalanine-modified poly(ethylene glycol) star polymers.
abstract: The generation of a range of star-shaped block copolymers composed of a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) core tethered to a polyalanine (PAla) shell that possesses the capability to (reversibly) self-assemble in water is described. The hydrogels formed offer a hydrophilic environment ideal for biological processes involving proteins and are able to withhold albumin for prolonged periods before its triggered release following the targeted material degradation by the proteolytic enzyme elastase. Consequently, the materials formed offer significant promise for the delivery of proteins, and possibly inhibitors, in response to a proteolytic enzyme overexpressed in chronic wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK. paul.thornton@durham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Shah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Reduwan Billah
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000737:chemistry*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D010455:Peptides; C019529:polyalanine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase