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Published on: October 26, 2016
Transglutaminase crosslinked gelatin as a tissue engineering scaffold.
C W Yung1, L Q Wu2,3, J A Tullman1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|June 23, 2007
Summary
Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) enzymatically crosslinks gelatin for biocompatible scaffolds. This method supports cell proliferation and release for therapeutic delivery, offering tunable degradation rates.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Gelatin is a common biomaterial for cell scaffolds.
- Chemical crosslinkers like glutaraldehyde pose in vivo risks.
- Need for robust, biocompatible gelatin hydrogels at physiological temperatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enzymatically crosslink gelatin using microbial transglutaminase (mTG).
- To create stable, biocompatible gelatin scaffolds without chemical crosslinkers.
- To evaluate cell proliferation, release, and material stability in mTG-crosslinked gelatin.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic crosslinking of gelatin solutions with mTG.
- Encapsulation and culture of HEK293 cells within gelatin hydrogels.
- Assessment of cell proliferation, release via proteolytic degradation, and material stability at 37°C.
Main Results:
- HEK293 cells proliferated within mTG-crosslinked gelatin (0.03 day⁻¹).
- Released cells successfully recolonized tissue culture flasks.
- mTG-crosslinked gelatin showed thermal stability (no mass loss at 37°C).
- Degradation rates were tunable with gelatin content and controlled by surface erosion.
Conclusions:
- mTG-crosslinked gelatin provides a stable and biocompatible scaffold for cell encapsulation.
- This enzymatic approach circumvents risks associated with chemical crosslinkers.
- mTG-crosslinked gelatin hydrogels are suitable for therapeutic cell delivery and regenerative medicine applications.
