51
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Wei J, Xu L, Wu WH, Sun F, Zhang WB. Genetically engineered materials: Proteins and beyond. Sci China Chem 2022; 65:486-496. [PMID: 35154293 PMCID: PMC8815391 DOI: 10.1007/s11426-021-1183-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Information-rich molecules provide opportunities for evolution. Genetically engineered materials are superior in that their properties are coded within genetic sequences and could be fine-tuned. In this review, we elaborate the concept of genetically engineered materials (GEMs) using examples ranging from engineered protein materials to engineered living materials. Protein-based materials are the materials of choice by nature. Recent progress in protein engineering has led to opportunities to tune their sequences for optimal material performance. Proteins also play a central role in living materials where they act in concert with other biological components as well as nonbiological cofactors, giving rise to living features. While the existing GEMs are often limited to those constructed by building blocks of biological origin, being genetically engineerable does not preclude nonbiologic or synthetic materials, the latter of which have yet to be fully explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wei
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, 455000 China
| | - Lianjie Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Wen-Hao Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wen-Bin Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
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52
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Raos
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Via L. Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Bruno Zappone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto di Nanotecnologia (CNR-Nanotec), Via P. Bucci, 33/C, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
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53
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Álamo P, Parladé E, López-Laguna H, Voltà-Durán E, Unzueta U, Vazquez E, Mangues R, Villaverde A. Ion-dependent slow protein release from in vivo disintegrating micro-granules. Drug Deliv 2021; 28:2383-2391. [PMID: 34747685 PMCID: PMC8584089 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2021.1998249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Through the controlled addition of divalent cations, polyhistidine-tagged proteins can be clustered in form of chemically pure and mechanically stable micron-scale particles. Under physiological conditions, these materials act as self-disintegrating protein depots for the progressive release of the forming polypeptide, with potential applications in protein drug delivery, diagnosis, or theragnosis. Here we have explored the in vivo disintegration pattern of a set of such depots, upon subcutaneous administration in mice. These microparticles were fabricated with cationic forms of either Zn, Ca, Mg, or Mn, which abound in the mammalian body. By using a CXCR4-targeted fluorescent protein as a reporter building block we categorized those cations regarding their ability to persist in the administration site and to sustain a slow release of functional protein. Ca2+ and specially Zn2+ have been observed as particularly good promoters of time-prolonged protein leakage. The released polypeptides result is available for selective molecular interactions, such as specific fluorescent labeling of tumor tissues, in which the protein reaches nearly steady levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Álamo
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eloi Parladé
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain.,Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Hèctor López-Laguna
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain.,Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Eric Voltà-Durán
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain.,Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Esther Vazquez
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain.,Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ramon Mangues
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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54
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Hanson BS, Dougan L. Intermediate Structural Hierarchy in Biological Networks Modulates the Fractal Dimension and Force Distribution of Percolating Clusters. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4191-4198. [PMID: 34420304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Globular protein hydrogels are an emerging class of materials with the potential for rational design, and a generalized understanding of how their network properties emerge from the structure and dynamics of the building block is a key challenge. Here we computationally investigate the effect of intermediate (polymeric) nanoscale structure on the formation of protein hydrogels. We show that changes in both the cross-link topology and flexibility of the polymeric building block lead to changes in the force transmission around the system and provide insight into the dynamic network formation processes. The preassembled intermediate structure provides a novel structural coordinate for the hierarchical modulation of macroscopic network properties, as well as furthering our understanding of the general dynamics of network formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Hanson
- Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna Dougan
- Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.,Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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55
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Akintayo CO, Creusen G, Straub P, Walther A. Tunable and Large-Scale Model Network StarPEG-DNA Hydrogels. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Oluwadunsin Akintayo
- A3BMS Lab, Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- DFG Cluster of Excellence @ FIT “Living, Adaptive and Energy-Autonomous Materials Systems” (livMatS), Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Guido Creusen
- A3BMS Lab, Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Paula Straub
- DFG Cluster of Excellence @ FIT “Living, Adaptive and Energy-Autonomous Materials Systems” (livMatS), Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- A3BMS Lab, Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- DFG Cluster of Excellence @ FIT “Living, Adaptive and Energy-Autonomous Materials Systems” (livMatS), Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
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56
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Wang T, Zhang Y, Gu Z, Cheng W, Lei H, Qin M, Xue B, Wang W, Cao Y. Regulating Mechanical Properties of
Polymer‐Supramolecular Double‐Network
Hydrogel by Supramolecular Self‐assembling Structures. CHINESE J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202100370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tiankuo Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
| | - Zichen Gu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Implantology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210008 China
| | - Hai Lei
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
| | - Meng Qin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
| | - Bin Xue
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
- Institute for Brain Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
- Institute for Brain Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 China
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57
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Hughes MD, Hanson BS, Cussons S, Mahmoudi N, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Control of Nanoscale In Situ Protein Unfolding Defines Network Architecture and Mechanics of Protein Hydrogels. ACS NANO 2021; 15:11296-11308. [PMID: 34214394 PMCID: PMC8320229 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Hierarchical assemblies of proteins exhibit a wide-range of material properties that are exploited both in nature and by artificially by humankind. However, little is understood about the importance of protein unfolding on the network assembly, severely limiting opportunities to utilize this nanoscale transition in the development of biomimetic and bioinspired materials. Here we control the force lability of a single protein building block, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and demonstrate that protein unfolding plays a critical role in defining the architecture and mechanics of a photochemically cross-linked native protein network. The internal nanoscale structure of BSA contains "molecular reinforcement" in the form of 17 covalent disulphide "nanostaples", preventing force-induced unfolding. Upon addition of reducing agents, these nanostaples are broken rendering the protein force labile. Employing a combination of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, small-angle scattering (SAS), rheology, and modeling, we show that stapled protein forms reasonably homogeneous networks of cross-linked fractal-like clusters connected by an intercluster region of folded protein. Conversely, in situ protein unfolding results in more heterogeneous networks of denser fractal-like clusters connected by an intercluster region populated by unfolded protein. In addition, gelation-induced protein unfolding and cross-linking in the intercluster region changes the hydrogel mechanics, as measured by a 3-fold enhancement of the storage modulus, an increase in both the loss ratio and energy dissipation, and markedly different relaxation behavior. By controlling the protein's ability to unfold through nanoscale (un)stapling, we demonstrate the importance of in situ unfolding in defining both network architecture and mechanics, providing insight into fundamental hierarchical mechanics and a route to tune biomaterials for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt D.
G. Hughes
- School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Benjamin S. Hanson
- School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Sophie Cussons
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- ISIS Neutron
and Muon Spallation Source, STFC Rutherford
Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, U.K.
| | - David J. Brockwell
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
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58
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Chen Y, Song J, Wang S, Liu W. PVA-Based Hydrogels: Promising Candidates for Articular Cartilage Repair. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100147. [PMID: 34272821 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The complex, gradient physiological structure of articular cartilage is a severe hindrance of its self-repair, leaving the clinical treatment of cartilage defects a demanding issue to be addressed. Currently applied tissue engineering treatments and traditional non-tissue engineering treatments have different limitations, for example, cell dedifferentiation, immune rejection, and prosthesis-related complications. Thus, studies have been focusing on seeking promising candidates for novel cartilage repair methods. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels with excellent biocompatibility and tunable material properties have become the alternatives. For pure PVA hydrogels, the mechanical strength and lubricity are not capable of replacing articular cartilage until proper modifications are done. This paper summarizes the research progress in PVA hydrogels, including the preparation, modification, and cartilage-repair-aimed biomimetic improvements. Design guidance of PVA hydrogels is put forward as assistance to functional hydrogel preparation. Finally, the prospects and main obstacles of PVA hydrogels are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jian Song
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Song Wang
- Biomechanics and Biotechnology Lab, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Weiqiang Liu
- Biomechanics and Biotechnology Lab, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518057, China.,Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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59
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Ahn W, Lee JH, Kim SR, Lee J, Lee EJ. Designed protein- and peptide-based hydrogels for biomedical sciences. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:1919-1940. [PMID: 33475659 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb02604b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are fundamentally the most important macromolecules for biochemical, mechanical, and structural functions in living organisms. Therefore, they provide us with diverse structural building blocks for constructing various types of biomaterials, including an important class of such materials, hydrogels. Since natural peptides and proteins are biocompatible and biodegradable, they have features advantageous for their use as the building blocks of hydrogels for biomedical applications. They display constitutional and mechanical similarities with the native extracellular matrix (ECM), and can be easily bio-functionalized via genetic and chemical engineering with features such as bio-recognition, specific stimulus-reactivity, and controlled degradation. This review aims to give an overview of hydrogels made up of recombinant proteins or synthetic peptides as the structural elements building the polymer network. A wide variety of hydrogels composed of protein or peptide building blocks with different origins and compositions - including β-hairpin peptides, α-helical coiled coil peptides, elastin-like peptides, silk fibroin, and resilin - have been designed to date. In this review, the structures and characteristics of these natural proteins and peptides, with each of their gelation mechanisms, and the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties as well as biocompatibility of the resulting hydrogels are described. In addition, this review discusses the potential of using protein- or peptide-based hydrogels in the field of biomedical sciences, especially tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonkyung Ahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Applied Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea. and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong-Hwan Lee
- Center for Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Rin Kim
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeewon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun Jung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Applied Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
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60
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Skopinska-Wisniewska J, De la Flor S, Kozlowska J. From Supramolecular Hydrogels to Multifunctional Carriers for Biologically Active Substances. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7402. [PMID: 34299020 PMCID: PMC8307912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels are 3D, elastic, water-swelled materials that are held together by reversible, non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic, ionic, host-guest interactions, and metal-ligand coordination. These interactions determine the hydrogels' unique properties: mechanical strength; stretchability; injectability; ability to self-heal; shear-thinning; and sensitivity to stimuli, e.g., pH, temperature, the presence of ions, and other chemical substances. For this reason, supramolecular hydrogels have attracted considerable attention as carriers for active substance delivery systems. In this paper, we focused on the various types of non-covalent interactions. The hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic, ionic, coordination, and host-guest interactions between hydrogel components have been described. We also provided an overview of the recent studies on supramolecular hydrogel applications, such as cancer therapy, anti-inflammatory gels, antimicrobial activity, controlled gene drug delivery, and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia De la Flor
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain;
| | - Justyna Kozlowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarin 7, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
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61
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Zhang K, Feng Q, Fang Z, Gu L, Bian L. Structurally Dynamic Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: Pursuing a Fine Balance between Macroscopic Stability and Microscopic Dynamics. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11149-11193. [PMID: 34189903 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Owing to their unique chemical and physical properties, hydrogels are attracting increasing attention in both basic and translational biomedical studies. Although the classical hydrogels with static networks have been widely reported for decades, a growing number of recent studies have shown that structurally dynamic hydrogels can better mimic the dynamics and functions of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) in soft tissues. These synthetic materials with defined compositions can recapitulate key chemical and biophysical properties of living tissues, providing an important means to understanding the mechanisms by which cells sense and remodel their surrounding microenvironments. This review begins with the overall expectation and design principles of dynamic hydrogels. We then highlight recent progress in the fabrication strategies of dynamic hydrogels including both degradation-dependent and degradation-independent approaches, followed by their unique properties and use in biomedical applications such as regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and 3D culture. Finally, challenges and emerging trends in the development and application of dynamic hydrogels are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyu Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.,Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Qian Feng
- Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Fang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.,Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Luo Gu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.,Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Liming Bian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China.,National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.,Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
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62
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Huerta-López C, Alegre-Cebollada J. Protein Hydrogels: The Swiss Army Knife for Enhanced Mechanical and Bioactive Properties of Biomaterials. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1656. [PMID: 34202469 PMCID: PMC8307158 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Biomaterials are dynamic tools with many applications: from the primitive use of bone and wood in the replacement of lost limbs and body parts, to the refined involvement of smart and responsive biomaterials in modern medicine and biomedical sciences. Hydrogels constitute a subtype of biomaterials built from water-swollen polymer networks. Their large water content and soft mechanical properties are highly similar to most biological tissues, making them ideal for tissue engineering and biomedical applications. The mechanical properties of hydrogels and their modulation have attracted a lot of attention from the field of mechanobiology. Protein-based hydrogels are becoming increasingly attractive due to their endless design options and array of functionalities, as well as their responsiveness to stimuli. Furthermore, just like the extracellular matrix, they are inherently viscoelastic in part due to mechanical unfolding/refolding transitions of folded protein domains. This review summarizes different natural and engineered protein hydrogels focusing on different strategies followed to modulate their mechanical properties. Applications of mechanically tunable protein-based hydrogels in drug delivery, tissue engineering and mechanobiology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Huerta-López
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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63
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Li H. There Is Plenty of Room in The Folded Globular Proteins: Tandem Modular Elastomeric Proteins Offer New Opportunities in Engineering Protein‐Based Biomaterials. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry University of British Columbia Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1 Canada
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64
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Preparation and characterization of tough and highly resilient nanocomposite hydrogels reinforced by surface‐grafted cellulose nanocrystals. J Appl Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/app.51166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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65
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Webber MJ, Pashuck ET. (Macro)molecular self-assembly for hydrogel drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 172:275-295. [PMID: 33450330 PMCID: PMC8107146 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels prepared via self-assembly offer scalable and tunable platforms for drug delivery applications. Molecular-scale self-assembly leverages an interplay of attractive and repulsive forces; drugs and other active molecules can be incorporated into such materials by partitioning in hydrophobic domains, affinity-mediated binding, or covalent integration. Peptides have been widely used as building blocks for self-assembly due to facile synthesis, ease of modification with bioactive molecules, and precise molecular-scale control over material properties through tunable interactions. Additional opportunities are manifest in stimuli-responsive self-assembly for more precise drug action. Hydrogels can likewise be fabricated from macromolecular self-assembly, with both synthetic polymers and biopolymers used to prepare materials with controlled mechanical properties and tunable drug release. These include clinical approaches for solubilization and delivery of hydrophobic drugs. To further enhance mechanical properties of hydrogels prepared through self-assembly, recent work has integrated self-assembly motifs with polymeric networks. For example, double-network hydrogels capture the beneficial properties of both self-assembled and covalent networks. The expanding ability to fabricate complex and precise materials, coupled with an improved understanding of biology, will lead to new classes of hydrogels specifically tailored for drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Webber
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - E Thomas Pashuck
- Lehigh University, Department of Bioengineering, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
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66
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Contessi Negrini N, Angelova Volponi A, Higgins C, Sharpe P, Celiz A. Scaffold-based developmental tissue engineering strategies for ectodermal organ regeneration. Mater Today Bio 2021; 10:100107. [PMID: 33889838 PMCID: PMC8050778 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering (TE) is a multidisciplinary research field aiming at the regeneration, restoration, or replacement of damaged tissues and organs. Classical TE approaches combine scaffolds, cells and soluble factors to fabricate constructs mimicking the native tissue to be regenerated. However, to date, limited success in clinical translations has been achieved by classical TE approaches, because of the lack of satisfactory biomorphological and biofunctional features of the obtained constructs. Developmental TE has emerged as a novel TE paradigm to obtain tissues and organs with correct biomorphology and biofunctionality by mimicking the morphogenetic processes leading to the tissue/organ generation in the embryo. Ectodermal appendages, for instance, develop in vivo by sequential interactions between epithelium and mesenchyme, in a process known as secondary induction. A fine artificial replication of these complex interactions can potentially lead to the fabrication of the tissues/organs to be regenerated. Successful developmental TE applications have been reported, in vitro and in vivo, for ectodermal appendages such as teeth, hair follicles and glands. Developmental TE strategies require an accurate selection of cell sources, scaffolds and cell culture configurations to allow for the correct replication of the in vivo morphogenetic cues. Herein, we describe and discuss the emergence of this TE paradigm by reviewing the achievements obtained so far in developmental TE 3D scaffolds for teeth, hair follicles, and salivary and lacrimal glands, with particular focus on the selection of biomaterials and cell culture configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A. Angelova Volponi
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - C.A. Higgins
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - P.T. Sharpe
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - A.D. Celiz
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Nuge T, Liu Z, Liu X, Ang BC, Andriyana A, Metselaar HSC, Hoque ME. Recent Advances in Scaffolding from Natural-Based Polymers for Volumetric Muscle Injury. Molecules 2021; 26:699. [PMID: 33572728 PMCID: PMC7865392 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) is associated with muscle loss function and often untreated and considered part of the natural sequelae of trauma. Various types of biomaterials with different physical and properties have been developed to treat VML. However, much work remains yet to be done before the scaffolds can pass from the bench to the bedside. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in the construction and application of natural polymers-based tissue scaffolding for volumetric muscle injury. Here, the tissue engineering approaches for treating volumetric muscle loss injury are highlighted and recent advances in cell-based therapies using various sources of stem cells are elaborated in detail. An overview of different strategies of tissue scaffolding and their efficacy on skeletal muscle cells regeneration and migration are presented. Furthermore, the present paper discusses a wide range of natural polymers with a special focus on proteins and polysaccharides that are major components of the extracellular matrices. The natural polymers are biologically active and excellently promote cell adhesion and growth. These bio-characteristics justify natural polymers as one of the most attractive options for developing scaffolds for muscle cell regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamrin Nuge
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China; (T.N.); (Z.L.)
| | - Ziqian Liu
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China; (T.N.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xiaoling Liu
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China; (T.N.); (Z.L.)
| | - Bee Chin Ang
- Centre of Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (A.A.); (H.S.C.M.)
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Andri Andriyana
- Centre of Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (A.A.); (H.S.C.M.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Hendrik Simon Cornelis Metselaar
- Centre of Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (A.A.); (H.S.C.M.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Md Enamul Hoque
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh;
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68
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Huang SC, Fan RX, Tian KK, Xia XX, Qian ZG. Controllable Fibrillization Reinforces Genetically Engineered Rubberlike Protein Hydrogels. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:961-970. [PMID: 33455161 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rubberlike protein hydrogels are unique in their remarkable stretchability and resilience but are usually low in strength due to the largely unstructured nature of the constitutive protein chains, which limits their applications. Thus, reinforcing protein hydrogels while retaining their rubberlike properties is of great interest and has remained difficult to achieve. Here, we propose a fibrillization strategy to reinforce hydrogels from engineered protein copolymers with photo-cross-linkable resilin-like blocks and fibrillizable silklike blocks. First, the designer copolymers with an increased ratio of the silk to resilin blocks were photochemically cross-linked into rubberlike hydrogels with reinforced mechanical properties. The increased silk-to-resilin ratio also enabled self-assembly of the resulting copolymers into fibrils in a time-dependent manner. This allowed controllable fibrillization of the copolymer solutions at the supramolecular level for subsequent photo-cross-linking into reinforced hydrogels. Alternatively, the as-prepared chemically cross-linked hydrogels could be reinforced at the material level by inducing fibrillization of the constitutive protein chains. Finally, we demonstrated the advantage of reinforcing these hydrogels for use as piezoresistive sensors to achieve an expanded pressure detection range. We anticipate that this strategy may provide intriguing opportunities to generate robust rubberlike biomaterials for broad applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Chen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Ru-Xia Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai-Kai Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xia Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Gang Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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69
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Cheirdaris DG. Force Spectroscopy in Mechanical Protein Domains Unfolding. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1339:187-193. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-78787-5_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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70
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Ma J, Huang C. Composition and Mechanism of Three-Dimensional Hydrogel System in Regulating Stem Cell Fate. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2020; 26:498-518. [PMID: 32272868 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2020.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel systems integrating different types of stem cells and scaffolding biomaterials have an important application in tissue engineering. The biomimetic hydrogels that pattern cell suspensions within 3D configurations of biomaterial networks allow for the transport of bioactive factors and mimic the stem cell niche in vivo, thereby supporting the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. The composition of a 3D hydrogel system determines the physical and chemical characteristics that regulate stem cell function through a biological mechanism. Here, we discuss the natural and synthetic hydrogel compositions that have been employed in 3D scaffolding, focusing on their characteristics, fabrication, biocompatibility, and regulatory effects on stem cell proliferation and differentiation. We also discuss the regulatory mechanisms of cell-matrix interaction and cell-cell interaction in stem cell activities in various types of 3D hydrogel systems. Understanding hydrogel compositions and their cellular mechanisms can yield insights into how scaffolding biomaterials and stem cells interact and can lead to the development of novel hydrogel systems of stem cells in tissue engineering and stem cell-based regenerative medicine. Impact statement Three-dimensional hydrogel system of stem cell mimicking the stemcell niche holds significant promise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Exactly how hydrogel composition regulates stem cell fate is not well understood. This review focuses on the composition of hydrogel, and how the hydrogel composition and its properties regulate the stem cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation. We propose that cell-matrix interaction and cell-cell interaction are important regulatory mechanisms in stem cell activities. Our review provides key insights into how the hydrogel composition regulates the stem cell fate, untangling the engineering of three-dimensional hydrogel systems for stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrui Ma
- Center for Neurobiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Chengyang Huang
- Center for Neurobiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
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71
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Visible light induced synthesis of high toughness, self-healing ionic hydrogel and its application in strain sensing. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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72
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Gelain F, Luo Z, Zhang S. Self-Assembling Peptide EAK16 and RADA16 Nanofiber Scaffold Hydrogel. Chem Rev 2020; 120:13434-13460. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Gelain
- Institute for Stem-cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013, Italy
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza dell’Ospedale Maggiore, 3, Milan 20162, Italy
| | - Zhongli Luo
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shuguang Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Architecture, Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307, United States
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73
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Guo Z, Hong H, Yuan G, Qian H, Li B, Cao Y, Wang W, Wu CX, Chen H. Hidden Intermediate State and Second Pathway Determining Folding and Unfolding Dynamics of GB1 Protein at Low Forces. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 125:198101. [PMID: 33216575 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.125.198101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy experiments found that GB1, a typical two-state model protein used for study of folding and unfolding dynamics, can sustain forces of more than 100 pN, but its response to low forces still remains unclear. Using ultrastable magnetic tweezers, we discovered that GB1 has an unexpected nonmonotonic force-dependent unfolding rate at 5-160 pN, from which a free energy landscape with two main barriers and a hidden intermediate state was constructed. A model combining two separate models by Dudko et al. with two pathways between the native state and this intermediate state is proposed to rebuild the unfolding dynamics over the full experimental force range. One candidate of this transient intermediate state is the theoretically proposed molten globule state with a loosely collapsed conformation, which might exist universally in the folding and unfolding processes of two-state proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Guo
- Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Fujian Provincial Key Lab for Soft Functional Materials Research, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Haiyan Hong
- Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Fujian Provincial Key Lab for Soft Functional Materials Research, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Guohua Yuan
- Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Fujian Provincial Key Lab for Soft Functional Materials Research, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Hui Qian
- Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Fujian Provincial Key Lab for Soft Functional Materials Research, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Bing Li
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yi Cao
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Wei Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chen-Xu Wu
- Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Fujian Provincial Key Lab for Soft Functional Materials Research, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Hu Chen
- Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Fujian Provincial Key Lab for Soft Functional Materials Research, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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74
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Sahay R, Agarwal K, Subramani A, Raghavan N, Budiman AS, Baji A. Helicoidally Arranged Polyacrylonitrile Fiber-Reinforced Strong and Impact-Resistant Thin Polyvinyl Alcohol Film Enabled by Electrospinning-Based Additive Manufacturing. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12102376. [PMID: 33076527 PMCID: PMC7602797 DOI: 10.3390/polym12102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate the use of parallel plate far field electrospinning (pp-FFES) based manufacturing system for the fabrication of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) strong polymer thin films (PVA SPTF). Parallel plate far field electrospinning (also known as the gap electrospinning) is generally used to produce uniaxially aligned fibers between the two parallel collector plates. In the first step, a disc containing PVA/H2O solution/bath (matrix material) was placed in between the two parallel plate collectors. Next, a layer of uniaxially aligned sub-micron PAN fibers (filler material) produced by pp-FFES was directly collected/embedded in the PVA/H2O solution by bringing the fibers in contact with the matrix. Next, the disc containing the matrix solution was rotated at 45° angular offset and then the next layer of the uniaxial fibers was collected/stacked on top of the previous layer with now 45° rotation between the two layers. This process was continued progressively by stacking the layers of uniaxially aligned arrays of fibers at 45° angular offsets, until a periodic pattern was achieved. In total, 13 such layers were laid within the matrix solution to make a helicoidal geometry with three pitches. The results demonstrate that embedding the helicoidal PAN fibers within the PVA enables efficient load transfer during high rate loading such as impact. The fabricated PVA strong polymer thin films with helicoidally arranged PAN fiber reinforcement (PVA SPTF-HA) show specific tensile strength 5 MPa·cm3·g−1 and can sustain specific impact energy (8 ± 0.9) mJ·cm3·g−1, which is superior to that of the pure PVA thin film (PVA TF) and PVA SPTF with randomly oriented PAN fiber reinforcement (PVA SPTF-RO). The novel fabrication methodology enables the further capability to produce even further smaller fibers (sub-micron down to even nanometer scales) and by the virtue of its layer-by-layer processing (in the manner of an additive manufacturing methodology) allowing further modulation of interfacial and inter-fiber adherence with the matrix materials. These parameters allow greater control and tunability of impact performances of the synthetic materials for various applications from army combat wear to sports and biomedical/wearable applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Sahay
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore; (R.S.); (K.A.); (A.S.); (N.R.)
| | - Komal Agarwal
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore; (R.S.); (K.A.); (A.S.); (N.R.)
| | - Anbazhagan Subramani
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore; (R.S.); (K.A.); (A.S.); (N.R.)
| | - Nagarajan Raghavan
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore; (R.S.); (K.A.); (A.S.); (N.R.)
| | - Arief S. Budiman
- Industrial Engineering Department, BINUS Graduate Program—Master of Industrial Engineering, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta 11480, Indonesia
- Correspondence: (A.S.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Avinash Baji
- Department of Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
- Correspondence: (A.S.B.); (A.B.)
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75
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Lehmann K, Shayegan M, Blab GA, Forde NR. Optical Tweezers Approaches for Probing Multiscale Protein Mechanics and Assembly. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:577314. [PMID: 33134316 PMCID: PMC7573139 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.577314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-step assembly of individual protein building blocks is key to the formation of essential higher-order structures inside and outside of cells. Optical tweezers is a technique well suited to investigate the mechanics and dynamics of these structures at a variety of size scales. In this mini-review, we highlight experiments that have used optical tweezers to investigate protein assembly and mechanics, with a focus on the extracellular matrix protein collagen. These examples demonstrate how optical tweezers can be used to study mechanics across length scales, ranging from the single-molecule level to fibrils to protein networks. We discuss challenges in experimental design and interpretation, opportunities for integration with other experimental modalities, and applications of optical tweezers to current questions in protein mechanics and assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Lehmann
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marjan Shayegan
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Gerhard A Blab
- Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Nancy R Forde
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease (C2D2), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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76
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Jiang B, Liu X, Yang C, Yang Z, Luo J, Kou S, Liu K, Sun F. Injectable, photoresponsive hydrogels for delivering neuroprotective proteins enabled by metal-directed protein assembly. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabc4824. [PMID: 33036976 PMCID: PMC7546710 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc4824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Axon regeneration constitutes a fundamental challenge for regenerative neurobiology, which necessitates the use of tailor-made biomaterials for controllable delivery of cells and biomolecules. An increasingly popular approach for creating these materials is to directly assemble engineered proteins into high-order structures, a process that often relies on sophisticated protein chemistry. Here, we present a simple approach for creating injectable, photoresponsive hydrogels via metal-directed assembly of His6-tagged proteins. The B12-dependent photoreceptor protein CarHC can complex with transition metal ions through an amino-terminal His6-tag, which can further undergo a sol-gel transition upon addition of AdoB12, leading to the formation of hydrogels with marked injectability and photodegradability. The inducible phase transitions further enabled facile encapsulation and release of cells and proteins. Injecting the Zn2+-coordinated gels decorated with leukemia inhibitory factor into injured mouse optic nerves led to prolonged cellular signaling and enhanced axon regeneration. This study illustrates a powerful strategy for designing injectable biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojing Jiang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaotian Liu
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhongguang Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiren Luo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Songzi Kou
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
- Center of Systems Biology and Human Health, School of Science and Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
- Center of Systems Biology and Human Health, School of Science and Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
- HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
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77
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Creusen G, Akintayo CO, Schumann K, Walther A. Scalable One-Pot-Liquid-Phase Oligonucleotide Synthesis for Model Network Hydrogels. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:16610-16621. [PMID: 32902960 PMCID: PMC7612451 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c05488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis (SPOS) based on phosphoramidite chemistry is currently the most widespread technique for DNA and RNA synthesis but suffers from scalability limitations and high reagent consumption. Liquid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis (LPOS) uses soluble polymer supports and has the potential of being scalable. However, at present, LPOS requires 3 separate reaction steps and 4-5 precipitation steps per nucleotide addition. Moreover, long acid exposure times during the deprotection step degrade sequences with high A content (adenine) due to depurination and chain cleavage. In this work, we present the first one-pot liquid-phase DNA synthesis technique which allows the addition of one nucleotide in a one-pot reaction of sequential coupling, oxidation, and deprotection followed by a single precipitation step. Furthermore, we demonstrate how to suppress depurination during the addition of adenine nucleotides. We showcase the potential of this technique to prepare high-purity 4-arm PEG-T20 (T = thymine) and 4-arm PEG-A20 building blocks in multigram scale. Such complementary 4-arm PEG-DNA building blocks reversibly self-assemble into supramolecular model network hydrogels and facilitate the elucidation of bond lifetimes. These model network hydrogels exhibit new levels of mechanical properties (storage modulus, bond lifetimes) in DNA bonds at room temperature (melting at 44 °C) and thus open up pathways to next-generation DNA materials programmable through sequence recognition and available for macroscale applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Creusen
- ABMS Lab, Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler- Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cecilia Oluwadunsin Akintayo
- ABMS Lab, Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler- Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- DFG Cluster of Excellence “Living, Adaptive and Energy-Autonomous Materials Systems” (livMatS), 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katja Schumann
- ABMS Lab, Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- ABMS Lab, Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler- Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- DFG Cluster of Excellence “Living, Adaptive and Energy-Autonomous Materials Systems” (livMatS), 79110 Freiburg, Germany
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78
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Wang Z, Wu J, Shi X, Song F, Gao W, Liu S. Stereocomplexation of Poly(Lactic acid) and Chemical Crosslinking of Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (EGDMA) Double-Crosslinked Temperature/pH Dual Responsive Hydrogels. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2204. [PMID: 32992974 PMCID: PMC7599924 DOI: 10.3390/polym12102204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical crosslinking and chemical crosslinking were used to further improve the mechanical properties and stability of the gel. A temperature/pH dual sensitive and double-crosslinked gel was prepared by the stereo-complex of HEMA-PLLA20 and HEMA-PDLA20 as a physical crosslinking agent, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a chemical crosslinking agent, and azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator for free radical polymerization. This paper focused on the performance comparison of chemical crosslinked gel, a physical crosslinked gel, and a dual crosslinked gel. The water absorption, temperature, and pH sensitivity of the three hydrogels were studied by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and swelling performance research. We used a thermal analysis system (TGA) and dynamic viscoelastic spectrometer to study thermal properties and mechanical properties of these gels. Lastly, the in vitro drug release behavior of double-crosslinked hydrogel loaded with doxorubicin under different conditions was studied. The results show that the double-crosslinked and temperature/pH dual responsive hydrogels has great mechanical properties and good stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shouxin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (Z.W.); (J.W.); (X.S.); (F.S.); (W.G.)
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79
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Aufderhorst-Roberts A, Hughes MDG, Hare A, Head DA, Kapur N, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Reaction Rate Governs the Viscoelasticity and Nanostructure of Folded Protein Hydrogels. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:4253-4260. [PMID: 32870660 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels constructed from folded protein domains are of increasing interest as resilient and responsive biomaterials, but their optimization for applications requires time-consuming and costly molecular design. Here, we explore a complementary approach to control their properties by examining the influence of crosslinking rate on the structure and viscoelastic response of a model hydrogel constructed from photochemically crosslinked bovine serum albumin (BSA). Gelation is observed to follow a heterogeneous nucleation pathway in which BSA monomers crosslink into compact nuclei that grow into fractal percolated networks. Both the viscoelastic response probed by shear rheology and the nanostructure probed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) are shown to depend on the photochemical crosslinking reaction rate, with increased reaction rates corresponding to higher viscoelastic moduli, lower fractal dimension, and higher fractal cluster size. Reaction rate-dependent changes are shown to be consistent with a transition between diffusion- and rate-limited assembly, and the corresponding changes to viscoelastic response are proposed to arise from the presence of nonfractal depletion regions, as confirmed by SAXS. This controllable nanostructure and viscoelasticity constitute a potential route for the precise control of hydrogel properties, without the need for molecular modification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matt D G Hughes
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Andrew Hare
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - David A Head
- School of Computing, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Nikil Kapur
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - David J Brockwell
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
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80
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Zhao L, Zhang X, Luo Q, Hou C, Xu J, Liu J. Engineering Nonmechanical Protein-Based Hydrogels with Highly Mechanical Properties: Comparison with Natural Muscles. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:4212-4219. [PMID: 32886490 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The elegant elasticity and toughness of muscles that are controlled by myofilament sliding, highly elastic springlike properties of titin, and Ca2+-induced conformational change of the troponin complex have been a source of inspiration to develop advanced materials for simulating elastic muscle motion. Herein, a highly stretchable protein hydrogel is developed to mimic the structure and motion of muscles through the combination of protein folding-unfolding and molecular sliding. It has been shown that the protein bovine serum albumin is covalently cross-linked, together penetrated with alginate chains to construct polyprotein-based hydrogels, where polyproteins can act as the elastic spring titin via protein folding-unfolding and also achieve tunable sliding facilitated by alginate due to their reversible noncovalent interactions, thus providing desired mechanical properties such as stretchability, resilience, and strength. Notably, these biomaterials can achieve the breaking strain of up to 1200% and show massive energy dissipation. A pronounced expansion-contraction phenomenon is also observed on the macroscopic scale, and the Ca2+-induced contraction process may help to improve our understanding of muscle movement. Overall, these excellent properties are comparable to or even better than those of natural muscles, making the polyprotein-based hydrogels represent a new type of muscle-mimetic biomaterial. Significantly, the prominent biocompatibility of the designed biomaterials further enables them to hold potential applications in the biomedical field and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlu Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma, Ministry of Education, College of Emergency and Trauma, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China.,State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Biomass Functional Materials Studies, Jilin Engineering Normal University, No. 3050, Kaixuan Road, Changchun 130052, China
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Chunxi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.,State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.,State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
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81
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Chimisso V, Aleman Garcia MA, Yorulmaz Avsar S, Dinu IA, Palivan CG. Design of Bio-Conjugated Hydrogels for Regenerative Medicine Applications: From Polymer Scaffold to Biomolecule Choice. Molecules 2020; 25:E4090. [PMID: 32906772 PMCID: PMC7571016 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bio-conjugated hydrogels merge the functionality of a synthetic network with the activity of a biomolecule, becoming thus an interesting class of materials for a variety of biomedical applications. This combination allows the fine tuning of their functionality and activity, whilst retaining biocompatibility, responsivity and displaying tunable chemical and mechanical properties. A complex scenario of molecular factors and conditions have to be taken into account to ensure the correct functionality of the bio-hydrogel as a scaffold or a delivery system, including the polymer backbone and biomolecule choice, polymerization conditions, architecture and biocompatibility. In this review, we present these key factors and conditions that have to match together to ensure the correct functionality of the bio-conjugated hydrogel. We then present recent examples of bio-conjugated hydrogel systems paving the way for regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR-1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (V.C.); (M.A.A.G.); (S.Y.A.); (I.A.D.)
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82
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Hanson BS, Dougan L. Network Growth and Structural Characteristics of Globular Protein Hydrogels. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S. Hanson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
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83
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Lei H, Dong L, Li Y, Zhang J, Chen H, Wu J, Zhang Y, Fan Q, Xue B, Qin M, Chen B, Cao Y, Wang W. Stretchable hydrogels with low hysteresis and anti-fatigue fracture based on polyprotein cross-linkers. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4032. [PMID: 32788575 PMCID: PMC7423981 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17877-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogel-based devices are widely used as flexible electronics, biosensors, soft robots, and intelligent human-machine interfaces. In these applications, high stretchability, low hysteresis, and anti-fatigue fracture are essential but can be rarely met in the same hydrogels simultaneously. Here, we demonstrate a hydrogel design using tandem-repeat proteins as the cross-linkers and random coiled polymers as the percolating network. Such a design allows the polyprotein cross-linkers only to experience considerable forces at the fracture zone and unfold to prevent crack propagation. Thus, we are able to decouple the hysteresis-toughness correlation and create hydrogels of high stretchability (~1100%), low hysteresis (< 5%), and high fracture toughness (~900 J m-2). Moreover, the hydrogels show a high fatigue threshold of ~126 J m-2 and can undergo 5000 load-unload cycles up to 500% strain without noticeable mechanical changes. Our study provides a general route to decouple network elasticity and local mechanical response in synthetic hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Lei
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Liang Dong
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Ying Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
- Institute of Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics (IAMFE), School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Junsheng Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Huiyan Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Junhua Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Qiyang Fan
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Bin Xue
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Meng Qin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
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84
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Forero-Doria O, Polo E, Marican A, Guzmán L, Venegas B, Vijayakumar S, Wehinger S, Guerrero M, Gallego J, Durán-Lara EF. Supramolecular hydrogels based on cellulose for sustained release of therapeutic substances with antimicrobial and wound healing properties. Carbohydr Polym 2020; 242:116383. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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85
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Hughes MDG, Cussons S, Mahmoudi N, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Single molecule protein stabilisation translates to macromolecular mechanics of a protein network. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:6389-6399. [PMID: 32578583 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02484k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Folded globular proteins are attractive building blocks for biopolymer-based materials, as their mechanically resistant structures carry out diverse biological functionality. While much is now understood about the mechanical response of single folded proteins, a major challenge is to understand and predictably control how single protein mechanics translates to the collective response of a network of connected folded proteins. Here, by utilising the binding of maltose to hydrogels constructed from photo-chemically cross-linked maltose binding protein (MBP), we investigate the effects of protein stabilisation at the molecular level on the macroscopic mechanical and structural properties of a protein-based hydrogel. Rheological measurements show an enhancement in the mechanical strength and energy dissipation of MBP hydrogels in the presence of maltose. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry measurements show that MBP remains both folded and functional in situ. By coupling these mechanical measurements with mesoscopic structural information obtained by small angle scattering, we propose an occupation model in which higher proportions of stabilised, ligand occupied, protein building blocks translate their increased stability to the macroscopic properties of the hydrogel network. This provides powerful opportunities to exploit environmentally responsive folded protein-based biomaterials for many broad applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt D G Hughes
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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86
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Fernandes CSM, Rodrigues AL, Alves VD, Fernandes TG, Pina AS, Roque ACA. Natural Multimerization Rules the Performance of Affinity-Based Physical Hydrogels for Stem Cell Encapsulation and Differentiation. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:3081-3091. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia S. M. Fernandes
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campus Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - André L. Rodrigues
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vitor D. Alves
- LEAF, Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago G. Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering, iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Pina
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campus Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana Cecília A. Roque
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campus Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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87
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Fox CS, Berry HA, Pedigo S. Development and Characterization of Calmodulin-Based Copolymeric Hydrogels. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:2073-2086. [PMID: 32320226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recently, there has been growing interest in harnessing genetically engineered polymers to develop responsive biomaterials, such as hydrogels. Unlike their synthetic counterparts, genetically engineered polymers are produced without the use of toxic reagents and can easily be programmed to incorporate desirable hydrogel properties, including bioactivity, biodegradability, and monodispersity. Herein, we report the development of a copolymeric hydrogel that is based on the calcium-dependent protein, calmodulin (CaM). For our system, CaM and M13, a CaM-binding peptide, were incorporated into genetically engineered polymers with intervening linkers containing cleavable sequences. Spectroscopic and multiple-particle tracking (MPT) studies demonstrate that these polymers self-assemble through calcium-stabilized, noncovalent crosslinking to form a soft viscoelastic material. MPT further revealed that gelation is concentration-dependent. Collagenase digests show that the protein polymers are selectively degraded through specific cleavage. The modularity and stimuli-responsiveness of this system suggest its potential as a flexible scaffold for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Fox
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Hunter A Berry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Susan Pedigo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
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88
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Fu L, Li H. Toward Quantitative Prediction of the Mechanical Properties of Tandem Modular Elastomeric Protein-Based Hydrogels. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linglan Fu
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
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89
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Abstract
As the crucial non-cellular component of tissues, the extracellular matrix (ECM) provides both physical support and signaling regulation to cells. Some ECM molecules provide a fibrillar environment around cells, while others provide a sheet-like basement membrane scaffold beneath epithelial cells. In this Review, we focus on recent studies investigating the mechanical, biophysical and signaling cues provided to developing tissues by different types of ECM in a variety of developing organisms. In addition, we discuss how the ECM helps to regulate tissue morphology during embryonic development by governing key elements of cell shape, adhesion, migration and differentiation. Summary: This Review discusses our current understanding of how the extracellular matrix helps guide developing tissues by influencing cell adhesion, migration, shape and differentiation, emphasizing the biophysical cues it provides.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Cruz Walma
- Cell Biology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-4370, USA
| | - Kenneth M Yamada
- Cell Biology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-4370, USA
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90
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Khoury LR, Slawinski M, Collison DR, Popa I. Cation-induced shape programming and morphing in protein-based hydrogels. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba6112. [PMID: 32494690 PMCID: PMC7190360 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba6112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Smart materials that are capable of memorizing a temporary shape, and morph in response to a stimulus, have the potential to revolutionize medicine and robotics. Here, we introduce an innovative method to program protein hydrogels and to induce shape changes in aqueous solutions at room temperature. We demonstrate our approach using hydrogels made from serum albumin, the most abundant protein in the blood plasma, which are synthesized in a cylindrical or flower shape. These gels are then programmed into a spring or a ring shape, respectively. The programming is performed through a marked change in stiffness (of up to 17-fold), induced by adsorption of Zn2+ or Cu2+ cations. We show that these programmed biomaterials can then morph back into their original shape, as the cations diffuse outside the hydrogel material. The approach demonstrated here represents an innovative strategy to program protein-based hydrogels to behave as actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luai R. Khoury
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), 3135 North Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Marina Slawinski
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), 3135 North Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Daniel R. Collison
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), 3135 North Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
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91
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Li Y, Xue B, Cao Y. 100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Synthetic Protein Hydrogels. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:512-524. [PMID: 35648497 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Our bodies are composed of soft tissues made of various proteins. In contrast, most hydrogels designed for biological applications are made of synthetic polymers. Recently, it is increasingly recognized that genetically synthesized proteins can be tailored as building blocks of hydrogels with biological, chemical, and mechanical properties similar to native soft tissues. In this Viewpoint, we summarize recent progress in synthetic protein hydrogels. We compare the structural and mechanical properties of different protein building blocks. We discuss various biocompatible cross-linking strategies based on covalent chemical reactions and noncovalent physical interactions. We introduce how stimulus-responsive conformational changes or intermolecular interactions at the molecular level can be used to engineer responsive hydrogels. We highlight that hydrogel network structures are as important as the protein sequences for the properties and functions of protein hydrogels and should be carefully designed. Despite great progress and potentials of synthetic protein hydrogels, there are still quite a few unsettled challenges and unexploited opportunities, providing abundant room for future investigation and development, particularly as this field is quickly expanding beyond its initial stage. We discuss a number of possible directions, including optimizing protein production and reducing cost, engineering anisotropic hydrogels to better mimic native tissues, rationally designing hydrogel mechanical properties, investigating interplays of hydrogels and residing cells for 3D cell culture and organoid construction, and evaluating long-term cytotoxicity and immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, China 210044
| | - Bin Xue
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China 210093
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China 210093
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210023
- Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, 210023
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92
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Simão AR, Fragal VH, Lima AMDO, Pellá MCG, Garcia FP, Nakamura CV, Tambourgi EB, Rubira AF. pH-responsive hybrid hydrogels: Chondroitin sulfate/casein trapped silica nanospheres for controlled drug release. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 148:302-315. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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93
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Sun W, Xue B, Fan Q, Tao R, Wang C, Wang X, Li Y, Qin M, Wang W, Chen B, Cao Y. Molecular engineering of metal coordination interactions for strong, tough, and fast-recovery hydrogels. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz9531. [PMID: 32494623 PMCID: PMC7164941 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz9531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Many load-bearing tissues, such as muscles and cartilages, show high elasticity, toughness, and fast recovery. However, combining these mechanical properties in the same synthetic biomaterials is fundamentally challenging. Here, we show that strong, tough, and fast-recovery hydrogels can be engineered using cross-linkers involving cooperative dynamic interactions. We designed a histidine-rich decapeptide containing two tandem zinc binding motifs. Because of allosteric structural change-induced cooperative binding, this decapeptide had a higher thermodynamic stability, stronger binding strength, and faster binding rate than single binding motifs or isolated ligands. The engineered hybrid network hydrogels containing the peptide-zinc complex exhibit a break stress of ~3.0 MPa, toughness of ~4.0 MJ m-3, and fast recovery in seconds. We expect that they can function effectively as scaffolds for load-bearing tissue engineering and as building blocks for soft robotics. Our results provide a general route to tune the mechanical and dynamic properties of hydrogels at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxu Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Bin Xue
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Qiyang Fan
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Runhan Tao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Chunxi Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Yiran Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Meng Qin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
- Corresponding author. (W.W.); (B.C.); (Y.C.)
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Corresponding author. (W.W.); (B.C.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
- Corresponding author. (W.W.); (B.C.); (Y.C.)
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94
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Bao Y, Luo Z, Cui S. Environment-dependent single-chain mechanics of synthetic polymers and biomacromolecules by atomic force microscopy-based single-molecule force spectroscopy and the implications for advanced polymer materials. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:2799-2827. [PMID: 32236171 DOI: 10.1039/c9cs00855a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
"The Tao begets the One. One begets all things of the world." This quote from Tao Te Ching is still inspiring for scientists in chemistry and materials science: The "One" can refer to a single molecule. A macroscopic material is composed of numerous molecules. Although the relationship between the properties of the single molecule and macroscopic material is not well understood yet, it is expected that a deeper understanding of the single-chain mechanics of macromolecules will certainly facilitate the development of materials science. Atomic force microscopy-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (AFM-SMFS) has been exploited extensively as a powerful tool to study the single-chain behaviors of macromolecules. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the emerging field of environment-dependent single-chain mechanics of synthetic polymers and biomacromolecules by means of AFM-SMFS. First, the single-chain inherent elasticities of several typical linear macromolecules are introduced, which are also confirmed by one of three polymer models with theoretical elasticities of the corresponding macromolecules obtained from quantum mechanical (QM) calculations. Then, the effects of the external environments on the single-chain mechanics of synthetic polymers and biomacromolecules are reviewed. Finally, the impacts of single-chain mechanics of macromolecules on the development of polymer science especially polymer materials are illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
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95
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Yu W, Xue B, Zhu Z, Shen Z, Qin M, Wang W, Cao Y. Strong and Injectable Hydrogels Based on Multivalent Metal Ion-Peptide Cross-linking. Chem Res Chin Univ 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-020-9100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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96
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Muddassir M. Blue light-induced low mechanical stability of ruthenium-based coordination bonds: an AFM-based single-molecule force spectroscopy study. RSC Adv 2020; 10:40543-40551. [PMID: 35520844 PMCID: PMC9057637 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra07274e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A HA–RuII complex was conjugated to a hyaluronan polymer through amide bonds. In AFM experiments using the “multi-fishhook” approach, the cantilever tip made contact with the polymeric molecule, resulting in stretching, indicated by sawtooth-like force-extension curves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd. Muddassir
- Department of Chemistry
- College of Science
- King Saud University
- Riyadh 11451
- Saudi Arabia
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97
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Khoury LR, Popa I. Chemical unfolding of protein domains induces shape change in programmed protein hydrogels. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5439. [PMID: 31784506 PMCID: PMC6884551 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13312-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmable behavior combined with tailored stiffness and tunable biomechanical response are key requirements for developing successful materials. However, these properties are still an elusive goal for protein-based biomaterials. Here, we use protein-polymer interactions to manipulate the stiffness of protein-based hydrogels made from bovine serum albumin (BSA) by using polyelectrolytes such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) at various concentrations. This approach confers protein-hydrogels with tunable wide-range stiffness, from ~10-64 kPa, without affecting the protein mechanics and nanostructure. We use the 6-fold increase in stiffness induced by PEI to program BSA hydrogels in various shapes. By utilizing the characteristic protein unfolding we can induce reversible shape-memory behavior of these composite materials using chemical denaturing solutions. The approach demonstrated here, based on protein engineering and polymer reinforcing, may enable the development and investigation of smart biomaterials and extend protein hydrogel capabilities beyond their conventional applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luai R Khoury
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA.
| | - Ionel Popa
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 North Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA.
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98
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Taki M, Yamashita T, Yatabe K, Vogel V. Mechano-chromic protein-polymer hybrid hydrogel to visualize mechanical strain. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:9388-9393. [PMID: 31609367 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm00380k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In a proof-of-concept study, a mechano-chromic hydrogel was synthesized here, via chemoenzymatic click conjugation of fluorophore-labeled fibronectin into a synthetic hydrogel co-polymers (i.e., poly-N-isopropylacrylamide/polyethylene glycol). The optical FRET response could be tuned by macroscopic stretch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masumi Taki
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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99
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Li Y, Cao Y. The molecular mechanisms underlying mussel adhesion. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2019; 1:4246-4257. [PMID: 36134404 PMCID: PMC9418609 DOI: 10.1039/c9na00582j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine mussels are able to firmly affix on various wet surfaces by the overproduction of special mussel foot proteins (mfps). Abundant fundamental studies have been conducted to understand the molecular basis of mussel adhesion, where the catecholic amino acid, l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) has been found to play the major role. These studies continue to inspire the engineering of novel adhesives and coatings with improved underwater performances. Despite the fact that the recent advances of adhesives and coatings inspired by mussel adhesive proteins have been intensively reviewed in literature, the fundamental biochemical and biophysical studies on the origin of the strong and versatile wet adhesion have not been fully covered. In this review, we show how the force measurements at the molecular level by surface force apparatus (SFA) and single molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to reveal the direct link between DOPA and the wet adhesion strength of mussel proteins. We highlight a few important technical details that are critical to the successful experimental design. We also summarize many new insights going beyond DOPA adhesion, such as the surface environment and protein sequence dependent synergistic and cooperative binding. We also provide a perspective on a few uncharted but outstanding questions for future studies. A comprehensive understanding on mussel adhesion will be beneficial to the design of novel synthetic wet adhesives for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Li
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University Shenzhen 518057 China
- Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Soli State Microstructure, Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 China
| | - Yi Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University Shenzhen 518057 China
- Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Soli State Microstructure, Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 China
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100
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Solomonov
- Department of Materials and Interfaces Weizmann Institute of Science 7610001 Rehovot Israel
| | - Ulyana Shimanovich
- Department of Materials and Interfaces Weizmann Institute of Science 7610001 Rehovot Israel
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