Controlling Drug Absorption, Release, and Erosion of Photopatterned Protein Engineered Hydrogels

Biomacromolecules. 2020 Sep 14;21(9):3608-3619. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00616. Epub 2020 Aug 14.

Abstract

A protein-engineered triblock copolymer hydrogel composed of two self-assembling domains (SADs) has been fabricated by a photoactivatable diazirine group followed by ultraviolet (UV)-mediated crosslinking. The photocrosslinkable protein polymer CEC-D has been patterned into various features including different micrometer-scale stripes by using lithographic techniques. The patterned hydrogels are important for encapsulation of small molecules where a photopatterned fraction of 50% is optimal for maximum absorption. Stripe-patterned CEC-D100-100 exhibits slightly lower swelling ratios, an 8.9 times lower erosion profile, and a 2.6-fold higher drug release compared to the unpatterned hydrogel control, CEC-D0. Our studies demonstrate the potential of photocrosslinkable protein polymer hydrogels to be used as scaffolds for therapeutic delivery of small molecules. Through photolithographic techniques on the protein hydrogel, a variety of functionalities can be achieved by patterning different features enabling the mimicry of biological systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Drug Liberation
  • Hydrogels*
  • Polymers*

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Polymers