A cell-compatible PEO-PPO-PEO (Pluronic®)-based hydrogel stabilized through secondary structures.
Pluronic F-127 (PF127) is a thermosensitive polymer that has been widely recognized as a potential candidate for various bio-applications. However, in hydrogel form, its rapid disintegration and inhospitality toward cells have significantly limited its usage. As a means to increase the integrity and cell compatibility of a PF127 hydrogel, we propose the introduction of stabilizing secondary structures to the gel network by the addition of secondary structure-forming oligo-alanine and oligo-phenylalanine. Results indicate that increasing the oligo(peptides) attached to PF127 led to a significant decrease in the gelation concentration and temperature. A selected oligo(peptide)-modified PF127 was capable of forming a stable hydrogel network at 5% and suffered only 20% weight loss after 7days of incubation in media. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed comparably more interconnected morphology in modified hydrogels which may be attributed to the presence of secondary structures, as verified by circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provided insights into the extensive interactions at the micelle core, which is the key to altered gelation behavior. Furthermore, modified hydrogels maintained structural integrity within culturing media and supported the proliferation of encapsulated chondrocytes. In addition, in vivo residence time was extended to well beyond 2weeks after oligo(peptide) modification, thereby broadening the application scope of the PF127 hydrogel to encompass long-term drug delivery and cell culturing.
Deparment of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
Sydney
S
Peng
Deparment of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
Ji-Yu
JY
Lin
Division of Microsurgery Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Ming-Huei
MH
Cheng
Division of Microsurgery Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: drwu.jerry@gmail.com.
Chih-Wei
CW
Wu
Deparment of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan. Electronic address: chuiming456@gmail.com.
I-Ming
IM
Chu
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012212:Rheology; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D009842:Oligopeptides; C116176:PEO-PPO-PEO; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D020442:Poloxamer; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
Hydrogel; Pluronic; Polypeptide; Secondary structure; Thermosensitive