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Tunable Keratin Hydrogels for Controlled Erosion and Growth Factor Delivery
Trevor R Ham1,2, Ryan T Lee1, Sangheon Han1
1Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University , 650 East High Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States.
Biomacromolecules
|December 5, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed tunable keratin hydrogels for tissue engineering by mixing keratose and kerateine. This approach allows controlled erosion and therapeutic agent release, enhancing tissue healing potential.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Tunable erosion of polymeric materials is crucial for tissue engineering applications like cell infiltration and drug delivery.
- Natural proteinaceous hydrogels generally elicit a favorable biological response, but achieving tunable erosion is challenging.
- Keratins, derived from sources like human hair, are increasingly used in tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a straightforward method for fabricating keratin hydrogels with tunable erosion rates.
- To investigate the relationship between keratose-kerateine ratios and hydrogel properties, including erosion and drug release.
- To demonstrate the potential of these keratin hydrogels for controlled release of growth factors.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of keratin hydrogels by mixing keratose (oxidatively extracted) and kerateine (reductively extracted).
- Characterization of hydrogel properties using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for pore size and mechanical testing (compressive modulus, elastic modulus via rheology).
- Assessment of hydrogel erosion rates and thiol release kinetics.
- Evaluation of controlled release of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (rhIGF-1).
Main Results:
- SEM and mechanical testing showed consistent pore diameters and compressive moduli across different keratose-kerateine ratios.
- Elastic modulus (G") of the hydrogels varied directly with the keratose-kerateine ratio.
- Hydrogel erosion rates and thiol release kinetics were tunable based on the keratose-kerateine mixture.
- Controlled release of rhIGF-1 was successfully achieved and modulated by the keratose-kerateine ratio.
Conclusions:
- Mixing keratose and kerateine provides a simple and effective method to create keratin hydrogels with tunable erosion properties.
- The keratose-kerateine ratio is a key factor in controlling hydrogel degradation, mechanical properties, and therapeutic agent release kinetics.
- These tunable keratin hydrogels hold significant promise for advanced tissue engineering applications requiring controlled degradation and drug delivery.
