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Dynamically tunable light responsive silk-elastin-like proteins
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Dynamically tunable light responsive silk-elastin-like proteins

Om Prakash Narayan, Xuan Mu, Onur Hasturk and David L. Kaplan
Acta biomaterialia, Vol.121, pp.214-223
02/01/2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.018
PMCID: PMC7856074
PMID: 33326881
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.018View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Dynamically tunable biomaterials are of particular interest in the field of biomedical engineering because of the potential utility for shape-change materials, drug and cell delivery and tissue regeneration. Stimuliresponsive proteins formed into hydrogels are potential candidates for such systems, due to the genetic tailorability and control over structure-function relationships. Here we report the synthesis of genetically engineered Silk-Elastin-Like Protein (SELP) photoresponsive hydrogels. Polymerization of the SELPs and monomeric adenosylcobalamin (AdoB(12))-dependent photoreceptor C-terminal adenosylcobalamin binding domain (CarH(C)) was achieved using genetically encoded SpyTag-SpyCatcher peptide-protein pairs under mild physiological conditions. The hydrogels exhibited a partial collapse of the crosslinked molecular network with both decreased loss and storage moduli upon exposure to visible light. The materials were also evaluated for cytotoxicity and the encapsulation and release of L929 murine fibroblasts from 3D cultures. The design of these photo-responsible proteins provides new stimuli-responsive SELP-CarH(C) hydrogels for dynamically tunable protein-based materials. Statement of significance Dynamically tunable stimuli-responsive biomaterials provide potential utility in biomedical engineering as candidates for soft robotics and biomimetic devices, as well as vehicles for cell and drug delivery/release. Photoresponsive systems are of particular interest as the activation mode, due to the simple input required and avoidance of additions of chemical catalysts or other exogenous components to drive the process. Here, SELP-based light responding hydrogels prepared here self-assembled into a dynamic hydrogels in the presence of AdoB12 in the dark and disassembled upon exposure to light to release encapsulated cells. This SELP-based stimuliresponsive hydrogel represents a useful strategy for designing smart biomaterials for cell, protein and molecule delivery, here using light as the triggering mechanism. (c) 2020 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Engineering Engineering, Biomedical Materials Science Materials Science, Biomaterials Science & Technology Technology

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