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Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering Volume 2, Number 1, March 2015 , pages 47-59 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/bme.2015.2.1.047 |
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Temperature-responsive bioactive hydrogels based on a multifunctional recombinant elastin-like polymer |
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Vitor E. Santo, Susana Prieto, Ana M. Testera, Francisco J. Arias,Matilde Alonso, Joao F. Mano and Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello
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| Abstract | ||
| A bioactive and multifunctional elastin-like polymer (ELP) was produced by genetic engineering techniques to develop new artificial matrices with the ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). The basic composition of this ELP is a thermo- and pH-sensitive elastin pentapeptide which has been enriched with RGD-containing domains, the RGD loop of fibronectin, for recognition by integrin receptors on their sequence to promote efficient cell attachment. Hydrogels of this RGD-containing polymer were obtained by crosslinking with hexamethylene diisocyanate, a lysine-targeted crosslinker. These materials retain the \"smart\" nature and temperature-responsive character, and the desired mechanical behavior of the elastin-like polymer family. The influence of the degree of crosslinking on the morphology and properties of the matrices were tested by calorimetric techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their mechanical behavior was studied by dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA). These results show the potential of these materials in biomedical applications, especially in the development of smart systems for tissue engineering. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| Elastin-like polymer; RGD; smart biomaterials; hydrogels; tissue engineering | ||
| Address | ||
| Vitor E. Santo, Susana Prieto, Ana M. Testera, Francisco J. Arias,Matilde Alonso, Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello: G.I.R. Bioforge, Centro I+D, Campus Miguel Delibes, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belen s/n, 47011-Valladolid, Spain Vitor E. Santo, Susana Prieto, Ana M. Testera, Francisco J. Arias,Matilde Alonso, Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello: CIBER-BBN, Centro Investigacion Biomedica en Red-Bioengenieria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Calle Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellon 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain Vitor E. Santo, Joao F. Mano: 3B\'s Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Dept. of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, S. Claudio do Barco, 4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimaraes, Portugal Vitor E. Santo, Joao F. Mano: ICVS/3B\'s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal | ||
