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Enzyme‐Degradable Self‐Assembled Hydrogels From Polyalanine‐Modified Poly(ethylene glycol) Star Polymers
Author(s) -
Thornton Paul D.,
Billah Shah M. Reduwan,
Cameron Neil R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201200649
Subject(s) - ethylene glycol , self healing hydrogels , peg ratio , copolymer , star polymer , polymer chemistry , polymer , proteolytic enzymes , self assembly , materials science , chemistry , enzyme , biophysics , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , finance , economics , biology
The generation of a range of star‐shaped block copolymers composed of a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) core tethered to a polyalanine (PAla) shell that possesses the capability to (reversibly) self‐assemble in water is described. The hydrogels formed offer a hydrophilic environment ideal for biological processes involving proteins and are able to withhold albumin for prolonged periods before its triggered release following the targeted material degradation by the proteolytic enzyme elastase. Consequently, the materials formed offer significant promise for the delivery of proteins, and possibly inhibitors, in response to a proteolytic enzyme overexpressed in chronic wounds.