User-defined, temporal presentation of bioactive molecules on hydrogel substrates using supramolecular coiled coil...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Recapitulating the dynamic extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro is crucial for understanding cellular behavior.
• Existing synthetic culture systems lack user-defined control over bioactivity presentation.
• Developing adaptable platforms for spatiotemporal control of biomolecules is highly desired.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a novel platform for the reversible conjugation of bioactive molecules to hydrogel substrates.
• To enable user-defined, spatiotemporal control over biomolecule presentation in engineered culture systems.
• To demonstrate the utility of this platform for cell culture applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized supramolecular coiled coil complexes formed between complementary peptides for reversible biomolecule conjugation.
• Employed a thiolated peptide (T-peptide) tethered to hydrogel surfaces via a photomediated click reaction.
• Introduced an association peptide (A-peptide) with a bioactive domain and a disruptor peptide (D-peptide) to control molecule release.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated spatiotemporal control of biomolecule presentation within hydrogel systems.
• Showcased repeatable incorporation and removal of bioactive motifs using the peptide system.
• NIH 3T3 fibroblasts exhibited enhanced spreading on hydrogels functionalized with RGD motifs, with reduced spreading upon RGD removal.

Conclusions:

• The developed platform enables facile, user-defined incorporation and removal of biomolecules.
• This system provides repeatable control over bioactivity presentation in engineered culture systems.
• The platform holds potential for advanced cell culture applications and biomimetic material design.