title: Mussel-mimetic protein-based adhesive hydrogel.
abstract: Hydrogel systems based on cross-linked polymeric materials which could provide both adhesion and cohesion in wet environment have been considered as a promising formulation of tissue adhesives. Inspired by marine mussel adhesion, many researchers have tried to exploit the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) molecule as a cross-linking mediator of synthetic polymer-based hydrogels which is known to be able to achieve cohesive hardening as well as adhesive bonding with diverse surfaces. Beside DOPA residue, composition of other amino acid residues and structure of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) have also been considered important elements for mussel adhesion. Herein, we represent a novel protein-based hydrogel system using DOPA-containing recombinant MAP. Gelation can be achieved using both oxdiation-induced DOPA quinone-mediated covalent and Fe(3+)-mediated coordinative noncovalent cross-linking. Fe(3+)-mediated hydrogels show deformable and self-healing viscoelastic behavior in rheological analysis, which is also well-reflected in bulk adhesion strength measurement. Quinone-mediated hydrogel has higher cohesive strength and can provide sufficient gelation time for easier handling. Collectively, our newly developed MAP hydrogel can potentially be used as tissue adhesive and sealant for future applications.
authors.affiliation: School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, ‡Ocean Science and Technology Institute, §School of Environmental Science and Engineering, ∥Department of Chemical Engineering, and ⊥Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology , Pohang 790-784, Korea.
authors.forename: Bum Jin
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dongyeop X
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Sangsik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Dong Soo
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Admir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masic
authors.forename: Dong Keun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hyung Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011506:Proteins; C037403:adhesive protein, mussel; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine