Design of hybrid hydrogels with self-assembled nanogels as cross-linkers: interaction with proteins and chaperone-like activity

Biomacromolecules. 2005 Jul-Aug;6(4):1829-34. doi: 10.1021/bm050156x.

Abstract

New hybrid hydrogels with nanogel domains were obtained by using polymerizable self-assembled nanogels as cross-linkers. Methacryloyl groups were introduced to cholesteryl group-bearing pullulan (CHP). The methacryloyl group-bearing CHPs (CHPMAs) formed nanogels by their self-association in water (R(g) = 14-17 nm). CHPMA nanogels were polymerized with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) by radical polymerization in a semidilute aqueous solution. CHPMA nanogels acted as effective cross-linkers for gelation. TEM observation showed that the nanogel structure was retained after gelation and that the nanogels were well dispersed in the macrogel. The hybrid hydrogels showed two well-defined networks such as a nanogel intranetwork structure of less than 10 nm (physically cross-linking) and an internetwork structure of several hundred nanometers (chemically cross-linking). The immobilized nanogels retained their ability to trap and release protein (insulin was used as a model protein) by host-guest interaction of the cholesteryl group and cyclodextrin and also showed high chaperone-like activity for refolding of chemically denatured protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Molecular Chaperones / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Protein Folding
  • Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Hydrogels
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Proteins