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Autonomous Ultrafast Self‐Healing Hydrogels by pH‐Responsive Functional Nanofiber Gelators as Cell Matrices
Author(s) -
Gačanin Jasmina,
Hedrich Jana,
Sieste Stefanie,
Glaßer Gunnar,
Lieberwirth Ingo,
Schilling Corinna,
Fischer Stephan,
Barth Holger,
Knöll Bernd,
Synatschke Christopher V.,
Weil Tanja
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201805044
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , thixotropy , materials science , nanofiber , surface modification , cell encapsulation , umbilical vein , self healing , peptide , biophysics , supramolecular chemistry , tissue engineering , drug delivery , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , chemistry , biomedical engineering , organic chemistry , molecule , biochemistry , medicine , engineering , in vitro , composite material , biology , alternative medicine , pathology
The synthesis of hybrid hydrogels by pH‐controlled structural transition with exceptional rheological properties as cellular matrix is reported. “Depsi” peptide sequences are grafted onto a polypeptide backbone that undergo a pH‐induced intramolecular O–N–acyl migration at physiological conditions affording peptide nanofibers (PNFs) as supramolecular gelators. The polypeptide–PNF hydrogels are mechanically remarkably robust. They reveal exciting thixotropic behavior with immediate in situ recovery after exposure to various high strains over long periods and self‐repair of defects by instantaneous reassembly. High cytocompatibility, convenient functionalization by coassembly, and controlled enzymatic degradation but stability in 2D and 3D cell culture as demonstrated by the encapsulation of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells and neuronal cells open many attractive opportunities for 3D tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.