1
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Cook KR, Head D, Dougan L. Modelling network formation in folded protein hydrogels by cluster aggregation kinetics. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2780-2791. [PMID: 36988480 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00111c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Globular folded protein-based hydrogels are becoming increasingly attractive due to their specific biological functionality, as well as their responsiveness to stimuli. By modelling folded proteins as colloids, there are rich opportunities to explore network formation mechanisms in protein hydrogels that negate the need for computationally expensive simulations which capture the full complexity of proteins. Here we present a kinetic lattice-based model which simulates the formation of irreversibly chemically crosslinked, folded protein-based hydrogels. We identify the critical point of gel percolation, explore the range of network regimes covering diffusion-limited to reaction-limited cluster aggregation (DLCA and RLCA, respectively) network formation mechanisms and predict the final network structure, fractal dimensions and final gel porosity. We reveal a crossover between DLCA and RLCA mechanisms as a function of protein volume fraction and show how the final network structure is governed by the structure at the percolation point, regardless of the broad variation of non-percolating cluster masses observed across all systems. An analysis of the pore size distribution in the final network structures reveals that, approaching RLCA, gels have larger maximal pores than the DLCA counterparts for both volume fractions studied. This general kinetic model and the analysis tools generate predictions of network structure and concurrent porosity over a broad range of experimentally controllable parameters that are consistent with current expectations and understanding of experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalila R Cook
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - David Head
- School of Computing, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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2
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Slawinski M, Kaeek M, Rajmiel Y, Khoury LR. Acetic Acid Enables Precise Tailoring of the Mechanical Behavior of Protein-Based Hydrogels. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:6942-6950. [PMID: 36018622 PMCID: PMC9479135 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c01558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Engineering viscoelastic and biocompatible materials with tailored mechanical and microstructure properties capable of mimicking the biological stiffness (<17 kPa) or serving as bioimplants will bring protein-based hydrogels to the forefront in the biomaterials field. Here, we introduce a method that uses different concentrations of acetic acid (AA) to control the covalent tyrosine-tyrosine cross-linking interactions at the nanoscale level during protein-based hydrogel synthesis and manipulates their mechanical and microstructure properties without affecting protein concentration and (un)folding nanomechanics. We demonstrated this approach by adding AA as a precursor to the preparation buffer of a photoactivated protein-based hydrogel mixture. This strategy allowed us to synthesize hydrogels made from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and eight repeats protein L structure, with a fine-tailored wide range of stiffness (2-35 kPa). Together with protein engineering technologies, this method will open new routes in developing and investigating tunable protein-based hydrogels and extend their application toward new horizons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Slawinski
- Department
of Physics, University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
| | - Maria Kaeek
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion
Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Yair Rajmiel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion
Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Luai R. Khoury
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion
Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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3
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Hughes MD, Cussons S, Mahmoudi N, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Tuning Protein Hydrogel Mechanics through Modulation of Nanoscale Unfolding and Entanglement in Postgelation Relaxation. ACS NANO 2022; 16:10667-10678. [PMID: 35731007 PMCID: PMC9331141 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Globular folded proteins are versatile nanoscale building blocks to create biomaterials with mechanical robustness and inherent biological functionality due to their specific and well-defined folded structures. Modulating the nanoscale unfolding of protein building blocks during network formation (in situ protein unfolding) provides potent opportunities to control the protein network structure and mechanics. Here, we control protein unfolding during the formation of hydrogels constructed from chemically cross-linked maltose binding protein using ligand binding and the addition of cosolutes to modulate protein kinetic and thermodynamic stability. Bulk shear rheology characterizes the storage moduli of the bound and unbound protein hydrogels and reveals a correlation between network rigidity, characterized as an increase in the storage modulus, and protein thermodynamic stability. Furthermore, analysis of the network relaxation behavior identifies a crossover from an unfolding dominated regime to an entanglement dominated regime. Control of in situ protein unfolding and entanglement provides an important route to finely tune the architecture, mechanics, and dynamic relaxation of protein hydrogels. Such predictive control will be advantageous for future smart biomaterials for applications which require responsive and dynamic modulation of mechanical properties and biological function.
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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.
| | - 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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4
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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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5
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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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6
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Jiang Y, Li R, Han C, Huang L. Extracellular matrix grafts: From preparation to application (Review). Int J Mol Med 2020; 47:463-474. [PMID: 33416123 PMCID: PMC7797433 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4818] [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: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the increasing emergency of traffic accidents and the unsatisfactory outcome of surgical intervention are driving research to seek a novel technology to repair traumatic soft tissue injury. From this perspective, decellularized matrix grafts (ECM-G) including natural ECM materials, and their prepared hydrogels and bioscaffolds, have emerged as possible alternatives for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Over the past decades, several physical and chemical decellularization methods have been used extensively to deal with different tissues/organs in an attempt to carefully remove cellular antigens while maintaining the non-immunogenic ECM components. It is anticipated that when the decellularized biomaterials are seeded with cells in vitro or incorporated into irregularly shaped defects in vivo, they can provide the appropriate biomechanical and biochemical conditions for directing cell behavior and tissue remodeling. The aim of this review is to first summarize the characteristics of ECM-G and describe their major decellularization methods from different sources, followed by analysis of how the bioactive factors and undesired residual cellular compositions influence the biologic function and host tissue response following implantation. Lastly, we also provide an overview of the in vivoapplication of ECM-G in facilitating tissue repair and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Jiang
- Science and Education Management Center, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315700, P.R. China
| | - Rui Li
- Science and Education Management Center, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315700, P.R. China
| | - Chunchan Han
- Science and Education Management Center, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315700, P.R. China
| | - Lijiang Huang
- Science and Education Management Center, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315700, P.R. China
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7
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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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8
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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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9
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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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10
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Knoff DS, Szczublewski H, Altamirano D, Cortes KAF, Kim M. Cytoskeleton-inspired artificial protein design to enhance polymer network elasticity. Macromolecules 2020; 53:3464-3471. [PMID: 32601508 PMCID: PMC7323958 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Reducing topological network defects to enhance elasticity in polymeric materials remains a grand challenge. Efforts to control network topology, primarily focused on crosslinking junctions, continue to underperform compared to theoretical estimations from idealized networks using affine and phantom network theories. Here, artificial protein technology was adapted for the design of polymer-network hydrogels with precisely defined coil-like and rod-like strands to observe the impact of strand rigidity on the mechanical properties of polymeric materials. Cytoskeleton-inspired polymer-network hydrogels incorporated with rod-like protein strands nearly tripled the gel shear elastic modulus and relaxation time compared to coil-like protein strands, indicating an enhanced effective crosslinking density. Furthermore, asymmetric rod-coil protein designs in network strands with an optimal rod:coil ratio improved the hydrogel relaxation time, enhancing the stability of physical macromolecular associations by modulating crosslinker mobility. The careful design of strand rigidity presents a new direction to reduce topological defects for optimizing polymeric materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Knoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Haley Szczublewski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Dallas Altamirano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | | | - Minkyu Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719
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11
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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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12
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Camp CP, Peterson IL, Knoff DS, Melcher LG, Maxwell CJ, Cohen AT, Wertheimer AM, Kim M. Non-cytotoxic Dityrosine Photocrosslinked Polymeric Materials With Targeted Elastic Moduli. Front Chem 2020; 8:173. [PMID: 32232027 PMCID: PMC7082925 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00173] [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: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlling mechanical properties of polymeric biomaterials, including the elastic modulus, is critical to direct cell behavior, such as proliferation and differentiation. Dityrosine photocrosslinking is an attractive and simple method to prepare materials that exhibit a wide range of elastic moduli by rapidly crosslinking tyrosyl-containing polymers. However, high concentrations of commonly used oxidative crosslinking reagents, such as ruthenium-based photoinitiators and persulfates, present cytotoxicity concerns. We found the elastic moduli of materials prepared by crosslinking an artificial protein with tightly controlled tyrosine molarity can be modulated up to 40 kPa by adjusting photoinitiator and persulfate concentrations. Formulations with various concentrations of the crosslinking reagents were able to target a similar material elastic modulus, but excess unreacted persulfate resulted in cytotoxic materials. Therefore, we identified a systematic method to prepare non-cytotoxic photocrosslinked polymeric materials with targeted elastic moduli for potential biomaterials applications in diverse fields, including tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Camp
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Ingrid L. Peterson
- Applied Biosciences GIDP, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - David S. Knoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | - Connor J. Maxwell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Audrey T. Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Anne M. Wertheimer
- Applied Biosciences GIDP, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Minkyu Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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13
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Lv S, Duan T, Li H. Engineering Protein-Clay Nanosheets Composite Hydrogels with Designed Arginine-Rich Proteins. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:7255-7260. [PMID: 31083892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Clay nanosheets (CNSs) have been widely used in the design of nanocomposite biomaterials. CNSs display a disk-like morphology with strong negatively charged surfaces. It has been shown that guanidinium-containing molecules can bind CNSs through noncovalent salt-bridge interactions and thus serve as "molecular glues" for CNSs. Making use of the guanidinium side chain in arginine, here, we designed novel arginine-rich elastomeric proteins to engineer protein-CNS nanocomposite hydrogels. Our results showed that these arginine-rich proteins can interact with CNSs effectively and can cross-link CNSs into hydrogels. Rheological measurements showed that mechanical properties of the resultant hydrogels depended on the arginine content in the arginine-rich proteins as well as CNS/protein concentration. Compared with hydrogels constructed from CNSs or proteins alone, the novel protein-CNS nanocomposite hydrogels show much improved mechanical properties. Our work opens up a new avenue to engineer functional protein hydrogels for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Lv
- Department of Chemistry , The University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC V6T 1Z1 , Canada
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composite Materials , Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing , 100029 , P. R. China
| | - Tianyu Duan
- Department of Chemistry , The University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC V6T 1Z1 , Canada
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry , The University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC V6T 1Z1 , Canada
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14
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King RE, Lau HK, Zhang H, Sidhu I, Christensen MB, Fowler EW, Li L, Jia X, Kiick KL, Thibeault SL. Biocompatibility and Viscoelastic Properties of Injectable Resilin-Like Polypeptide and Hyaluronan Hybrid Hydrogels in Rabbit Vocal Folds. REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 5:373-386. [DOI: 10.1007/s40883-019-00094-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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J. B, Chanda K, M.M. B. Revisiting the insights and applications of protein engineered hydrogels. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2019; 95:312-327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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16
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Wang R, Fu L, Liu J, Li H. Decorating protein hydrogels reversibly enables dynamic presentation and release of functional protein ligands on protein hydrogels. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:12703-12706. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc06374a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Utilizing protein fragment reconstitution, we demonstrate the reversible and repeatable functionalization of protein hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruidi Wang
- Department of Chemistry
- University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
- Canada
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials
| | - Linglan Fu
- Department of Chemistry
- University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
- Canada
| | - Junqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials
- College of Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- P. R. China
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry
- University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
- Canada
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17
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Fu L, Haage A, Kong N, Tanentzapf G, Li H. Dynamic protein hydrogels with reversibly tunable stiffness regulate human lung fibroblast spreading reversibly. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:5235-5238. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc01276a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast cells change their morphology reversibly in response to changes in protein hydrogel stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linglan Fu
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
- Canada
| | - Amanda Haage
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences
- Life Sciences Centre
- 2350 Health Sciences Mall
- University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
| | - Na Kong
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
- Canada
| | - Guy Tanentzapf
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences
- Life Sciences Centre
- 2350 Health Sciences Mall
- University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia
- Vancouver
- Canada
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18
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Wu WH, Wei J, Zhang WB. Controlling SpyTag/SpyCatcher Reactivity via Redox-Gated Conformational Restriction. ACS Macro Lett 2018; 7:1388-1393. [PMID: 35651248 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report that the reactivity of genetically encoded SpyTag/SpyCatcher chemistry can be manipulated via redox-gated conformational restriction, which facilitates the preparation of all-protein-based hydrogel with latent reactive sites for subsequent covalent functionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hao Wu
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Wei
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Bin Zhang
- 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, P. R. China
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Li L, Stiadle JM, Levendoski EE, Lau HK, Thibeault SL, Kiick KL. Biocompatibility of injectable resilin-based hydrogels. J Biomed Mater Res A 2018; 106:2229-2242. [PMID: 29611890 PMCID: PMC6030450 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Vocal folds are connective tissues housed in the larynx, which can be subjected to various injuries and traumatic stimuli that lead to aberrant tissue structural alterations and fibrotic-induced biomechanical stiffening observed in patients with voice disorders. Much effort has been devoted to generate soft biomaterials that are injectable directly to sites of injury. To date, materials applied toward these applications have been largely focused on natural extracellular matrix-derived materials such as collagen, fibrin or hyaluronic acid; these approaches have suffered from the fact that materials are not sufficiently robust mechanically nor offer sufficient flexibility to modulate material properties for targeted injection. We have recently developed multiple resilin-inspired elastomeric hydrogels that possess similar mechanical properties as those reported for vocal fold tissues, and that also show promising in vitro cytocompatibility and in vivo biocompatibility. Here we report studies that test the delivery of resilin-based hydrogels through injection to the subcutaneous tissue in a wild-type mice model; histological and genetic expression outcomes were monitored. The rapid kinetics of crosslinking enabled facile injection and ensured the rapid transition of the viscous resilin precursor solution to a solid-like hydrogel in the subcutaneous space in vivo; the materials exhibited storage shear moduli in the range of 1000-2000 Pa when characterized through oscillatory rheology. Histological staining and gene expression profiles suggested minimal inflammatory profiles three weeks after injection, thereby demonstrating the potential suitability for site-specific in vivo injection of these elastomeric materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2229-2242, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linqing Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Jeanna M. Stiadle
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 5136 WIMR, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Elizabeth E. Levendoski
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 5136 WIMR, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Hang K. Lau
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Susan L. Thibeault
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 5136 WIMR, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Kristi L. Kiick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE, 19711, USA
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20
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Rattan S, Li L, Lau HK, Crosby AJ, Kiick KL. Micromechanical characterization of soft, biopolymeric hydrogels: stiffness, resilience, and failure. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:3478-3489. [PMID: 29700541 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm00501j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Detailed understanding of the local structure-property relationships in soft biopolymeric hydrogels can be instrumental for applications in regenerative tissue engineering. Resilin-like polypeptide (RLP) hydrogels have been previously demonstrated as useful biomaterials with a unique combination of low elastic moduli, excellent resilience, and cell-adhesive properties. However, comprehensive mechanical characterization of RLP hydrogels under both low-strain and high-strain conditions has not yet been conducted, despite the unique information such measurements can provide about the local structure and macromolecular behavior underpinning mechanical properties. In this study, mechanical properties (elastic modulus, resilience, and fracture initiation toughness) of equilibrium swollen resilin-based hydrogels were characterized via oscillatory shear rheology, small-strain microindentation, and large-strain puncture tests as a function of polypeptide concentration. These methods allowed characterization, for the first time, of the resilience and failure in hydrogels with low polypeptide concentrations (<20 wt%), as the employed methods obviate the handling difficulties inherent in the characterization of such soft materials via standard mechanical techniques, allowing characterization without any special sample preparation and requiring minimal volumes (as low as 50 μL). Elastic moduli measured from small-strain microindentation showed good correlation with elastic storage moduli obtained from oscillatory shear rheology at a comparable applied strain rate, and evaluation of multiple loading-unloading cycles revealed decreased resilience values at lower hydrogel concentrations. In addition, large-strain indentation-to-failure (or puncture) tests were performed to measure large-strain mechanical response and fracture toughness on length scales similar to biological cells (∼10-50 μm) at various polypeptide concentrations, indicating very high fracture initiation toughness for high-concentration hydrogels. Our results establish the utility of employing microscale mechanical methods for the characterization of the local mechanical properties of biopolymeric hydrogels of low concentrations (<20 wt%), and show how the combination of small and large-strain measurements can provide unique insight into structure-property relationships for biopolymeric elastomers. Overall, this study provides new insight into the effects on local mechanical properties of polypeptide concentration near the overlap polymer concentration c* for resilin-based hydrogels, confirming their unique elastomeric features for applications in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Rattan
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
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21
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Olsen AJ, Katyal P, Haghpanah JS, Kubilius MB, Li R, Schnabel NL, O’Neill SC, Wang Y, Dai M, Singh N, Tu RS, Montclare JK. Protein Engineered Triblock Polymers Composed of Two SADs: Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Binding Abilities. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:1552-1561. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Olsen
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Priya Katyal
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Haghpanah
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Matthew B. Kubilius
- Chemical Engineering Department, City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Ruipeng Li
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Nicole L. Schnabel
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Sean C. O’Neill
- Chemical Engineering Department, City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Yao Wang
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Min Dai
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Navjot Singh
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Raymond S. Tu
- Chemical Engineering Department, City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Jin Kim Montclare
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
- Biochemistry Department, SUNY Downstate Medical, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11203, United States
- Chemistry Department, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
- Biomaterials Department, New York University College of Dentistry, 433 First Avenue, New York, New York 10010, United States
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22
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Naghieh S, Sarker M, Izadifar M, Chen X. Dispensing-based bioprinting of mechanically-functional hybrid scaffolds with vessel-like channels for tissue engineering applications – A brief review. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2018; 78:298-314. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Gao X, Lyu S, Li H. Decorating a Blank Slate Protein Hydrogel: A General and Robust Approach for Functionalizing Protein Hydrogels. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:3726-3732. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoye Gao
- Department
of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Shanshan Lyu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
- State
Key Laboratory of Organic−Inorganic Composite Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department
of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
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24
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Ruff S, Keller S, Wieland D, Wittmann V, Tovar G, Bach M, Kluger P. clickECM: Development of a cell-derived extracellular matrix with azide functionalities. Acta Biomater 2017; 52:159-170. [PMID: 27965173 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In vitro cultured cells produce a complex extracellular matrix (ECM) that remains intact after decellularization. The biological complexity derived from the variety of distinct ECM molecules makes these matrices ideal candidates for biomaterials. Biomaterials with the ability to guide cell function are a topic of high interest in biomaterial development. However, these matrices lack specific addressable functional groups, which are often required for their use as a biomaterial. Due to the biological complexity of the cell-derived ECM, it is a challenge to incorporate such functional groups without affecting the integrity of the biomolecules within the ECM. The azide-alkyne cycloaddition (click reaction, Huisgen-reaction) is an efficient and specific ligation reaction that is known to be biocompatible when strained alkynes are used to avoid the use of copper (I) as a catalyst. In our work, the ubiquitous modification of a fibroblast cell-derived ECM with azides was achieved through metabolic oligosaccharide engineering by adding the azide-modified monosaccharide Ac4GalNAz (1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-N-azidoacetylgalactosamine) to the cell culture medium. The resulting azide-modified network remained intact after removing the cells by lysis and the molecular structure of the ECM proteins was unimpaired after a gentle homogenization process. The biological composition was characterized in order to show that the functionalization does not impair the complexity and integrity of the ECM. The azides within this "clickECM" could be accessed by small molecules (such as an alkyne-modified fluorophore) or by surface-bound cyclooctynes to achieve a covalent coating with clickECM. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The clickECM was produced by the incorporation of azide-functionalized sugar analogues into the extracellular glycans of fibroblast cell cultures by metabolic oligosaccharide engineering. By introducing these azide groups into the glycan structures, we enabled this cell-derived ECM for bioorthogonal click reactions. Click chemistry provides extremely specific reactions with high efficiency, high selectivity, and high reaction yields. We could show that the azide functionalities within the clickECM are chemically accessible. Based on our here described clickECM technique it will be possible to create and investigate new clickECM materials with tunable bioactive properties and additional functionalities, which offers a promising approach for basic and applied research in the field of biomaterial science, biomedical applications, and tissue engineering.
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25
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Gao X, Fang J, Xue B, Fu L, Li H. Engineering Protein Hydrogels Using SpyCatcher-SpyTag Chemistry. Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:2812-9. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoye Gao
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Jie Fang
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Bin Xue
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory
of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P. R. China
| | - Linglan Fu
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
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26
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Lin CY, Liu JC. Modular protein domains: an engineering approach toward functional biomaterials. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2016; 40:56-63. [PMID: 26971463 PMCID: PMC4975669 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2016.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein domains and peptide sequences are a powerful tool for conferring specific functions to engineered biomaterials. Protein sequences with a wide variety of functionalities, including structure, bioactivity, protein-protein interactions, and stimuli responsiveness, have been identified, and advances in molecular biology continue to pinpoint new sequences. Protein domains can be combined to make recombinant proteins with multiple functionalities. The high fidelity of the protein translation machinery results in exquisite control over the sequence of recombinant proteins and the resulting properties of protein-based materials. In this review, we discuss protein domains and peptide sequences in the context of functional protein-based materials, composite materials, and their biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charng-Yu Lin
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2100, USA
| | - Julie C Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2100, USA; Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2032, USA.
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27
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Li H, Kong N, Laver B, Liu J. Hydrogels Constructed from Engineered Proteins. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:973-987. [PMID: 26707834 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201502429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Due to their various potential biomedical applications, hydrogels based on engineered proteins have attracted considerable interest. Benefitting from significant progress in recombinant DNA technology and protein engineering/design techniques, the field of protein hydrogels has made amazing progress. The latest progress of hydrogels constructed from engineered recombinant proteins are presented, mainly focused on biorecognition-driven physical hydrogels as well as chemically crosslinked hydrogels. The various bio-recognition based physical crosslinking strategies are discussed, as well as chemical crosslinking chemistries used to engineer protein hydrogels, and protein hydrogels' various biomedical applications. The future perspectives of this fast evolving field of biomaterials are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Na Kong
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Bryce Laver
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Junqiu Liu
- Key Lab for Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130012, P. R. China
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28
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Saqlain F, Popa I, Fernández JM, Alegre-Cebollada J. A novel strategy for utilizing voice coil servoactuators in tensile tests of low volume protein hydrogels. MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING 2015; 300:369-376. [PMID: 25960689 PMCID: PMC4419733 DOI: 10.1002/mame.201400271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We present a novel tensile testing system optimized for the mechanical loading of microliter volume protein hydrogels. Our apparatus incorporates a voice coil servoactuator capable of carrying out fixed velocity extension-relaxation cycles as well as extension step protocols. The setup is equipped with an acrylic cuvette permitting day-long incubations in solution. To demonstrate the functionality of the device, we photochemically crosslinked polyproteins of the I91 immunoglobulin domain from the muscle protein titin to create solid hydrogels that recapitulate elastic properties of muscle. We present data from tensile tests of these low volume biomaterials that support protein unfolding as a main determinant of the elasticity of protein hydrogels. Our results demonstrate the potential use of protein hydrogels as biomaterials whose elastic properties dynamically respond to their environment.
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29
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Naghdi P, Tiraihi T, Ganji F, Darabi S, Taheri T, Kazemi H. Survival, proliferation and differentiation enhancement of neural stem cells cultured in three-dimensional polyethylene glycol-RGD hydrogel with tenascin. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2014; 10:199-208. [DOI: 10.1002/term.1958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Revised: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pejman Naghdi
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Centre; Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital; Tehran Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
| | - Taki Tiraihi
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Centre; Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital; Tehran Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
| | - Fariba Ganji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
| | - Shehram Darabi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine; Qazvin University of Medical Sciences; Qazvin Iran
| | - Taher Taheri
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Centre; Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital; Tehran Iran
| | - Hadi Kazemi
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Centre; Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital; Tehran Iran
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30
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Fang J, Mehlich A, Koga N, Huang J, Koga R, Gao X, Hu C, Jin C, Rief M, Kast J, Baker D, Li H. Forced protein unfolding leads to highly elastic and tough protein hydrogels. Nat Commun 2014; 4:2974. [PMID: 24352111 PMCID: PMC3983047 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-based hydrogels usually do not exhibit high stretchability or toughness, significantly limiting the scope of their potential biomedical applications. Here we report the engineering of a chemically cross-linked, highly elastic and tough protein hydrogel using a mechanically extremely labile, de novo-designed protein that assumes the classical ferredoxin-like fold structure. Due to the low mechanical stability of the ferredoxin-like fold structure, swelling of hydrogels causes a significant fraction of the folded domains to unfold. Subsequent collapse and aggregation of unfolded ferredoxin-like domains leads to intertwining of physically and chemically cross-linked networks, entailing hydrogels with unusual physical and mechanical properties: a negative swelling ratio, high stretchability and toughness. These hydrogels can withstand an average strain of 450% before breaking and show massive energy dissipation. Upon relaxation, refolding of the ferredoxin-like domains enables the hydrogel to recover its massive hysteresis. This novel biomaterial may expand the scope of hydrogel applications in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fang
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - Alexander Mehlich
- Physik Department E22, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Strasse, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Nobuyasu Koga
- Department of Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Jiqing Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - Rie Koga
- Department of Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Xiaoye Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - Chunguang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurements Technology and Instruments, School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 30072, China
| | - Chi Jin
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - Matthias Rief
- Physik Department E22, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Strasse, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Juergen Kast
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Hongbin Li
- 1] Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1 [2] State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurements Technology and Instruments, School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 30072, China
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31
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Cai L, Heilshorn SC. Designing ECM-mimetic materials using protein engineering. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:1751-60. [PMID: 24365704 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The natural extracellular matrix (ECM), with its multitude of evolved cell-instructive and cell-responsive properties, provides inspiration and guidelines for the design of engineered biomaterials. One strategy to create ECM-mimetic materials is the modular design of protein-based engineered ECM (eECM) scaffolds. This modular design strategy involves combining multiple protein domains with different functionalities into a single, modular polymer sequence, resulting in a multifunctional matrix with independent tunability of the individual domain functions. These eECMs often enable decoupled control over multiple material properties for fundamental studies of cell-matrix interactions. In addition, since the eECMs are frequently composed entirely of bioresorbable amino acids, these matrices have immense clinical potential for a variety of regenerative medicine applications. This brief review demonstrates how fundamental knowledge gained from structure-function studies of native proteins can be exploited in the design of novel protein-engineered biomaterials. While the field of protein-engineered biomaterials has existed for over 20years, the community is only now beginning to fully explore the diversity of functional peptide modules that can be incorporated into these materials. We have chosen to highlight recent examples that either (i) demonstrate exemplary use as matrices with cell-instructive and cell-responsive properties or (ii) demonstrate outstanding creativity in terms of novel molecular-level design and macro-level functionality.
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32
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Morris AH, Kyriakides TR. Matricellular proteins and biomaterials. Matrix Biol 2014; 37:183-91. [PMID: 24657843 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterials are essential to modern medicine as components of reconstructive implants, implantable sensors, and vehicles for localized drug delivery. Advances in biomaterials have led to progression from simply making implants that are nontoxic to making implants that are specifically designed to elicit particular functions within the host. The interaction of implants and the extracellular matrix during the foreign body response is a growing area of concern for the field of biomaterials, because it can lead to implant failure. Expression of matricellular proteins is modulated during the foreign body response and these proteins interact with biomaterials. The design of biomaterials to specifically alter the levels of matricellular proteins surrounding implants provides a new avenue for the design and fabrication of biomimetic biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron H Morris
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Themis R Kyriakides
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
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33
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Ding Y, Li Y, Qin M, Cao Y, Wang W. Photo-cross-linking approach to engineering small tyrosine-containing peptide hydrogels with enhanced mechanical stability. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2013; 29:13299-306. [PMID: 24090141 DOI: 10.1021/la4029639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels have been extensively explored in biomaterials owing to their unique bioactive, stimulus-responsive, and biocompatible features. However, peptide-based hydrogels often have low mechanical stability with storage moduli of 10-1000 Pa. They are susceptible to mechanical destruction and solvent erosion, greatly hindering their practical application. Here, we present a photo-cross-linking strategy to enhance the mechanical stability of a peptide-based hydrogel by 10(4)-fold with a storage modulus of ~100 kPa, which is one of the highest reported so far for hydrogels made of small peptide molecules. This method is based on the ruthenium-complex-catalyzed conversion of tyrosine to dityrosine upon light irradiation. The reinforcement of the hydrogel through photo-cross-linking can be achieved within 2 min thanks to the fast reaction kinetics. The enhancement of the mechanical stability was due to the formation of a densely entangled fibrous network of peptide dimers through a dityrosine linkage. We showed that in order to implement this method successfully, the peptide sequence should be rationally designed to avoid the cross talk between self-assembly and cross-linking. This method is convenient and versatile for the enhancement of the mechanical stability of tyrosine-containing peptide-based hydrogels. We anticipate that the photo-cross-linked supramolecular hydrogels with much improved mechanical stability will find broad applications in tissue engineering and drug controlled release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and ‡National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University , 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, PR China
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34
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Abstract
Resilin, an insect structural protein, exhibits rubber-like elasticity characterized by low stiffness, high extensibility, efficient energy storage, and exceptional resilience and fatigue lifetime. The outstanding mechanical properties of natural resilin have motivated recent research in the engineering of resilin-like polypeptide-based biomaterials, with a wide range of applications including use as bio-rubbers, nanosprings, elements in biosensors, and tissue engineering scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linqing Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States; Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, 19716, United States; Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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35
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Hoffmann T, Tych KM, Hughes ML, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Towards design principles for determining the mechanical stability of proteins. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:15767-80. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp52142g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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