Design and bioproduction of a recombinant multi(bio)functional elastin-like protein polymer containing cell adhesion sequences for tissue engineering purposes
Abstract
Genetic engineering techniques were used to design and biosynthesise an extracellular matrix (ECM) analogue. This was designed with a well-defined molecular architecture comprising different functional domains. The structural base is a elastin-derived repeating unit, which confers an adequate elastic characteristic. Some of these elastin domains have been modified to contain lysine; this amino acid can be used for crosslinking purposes. The polymer also contain periodically spaced fibronectin CS5 domains enclosing the well-known cell attachment sequence REDV. Finally, the polymer has target sequences for proteolitic action. These sequences are those found in the natural elastin and are introduced to help in the bioabsorption of the polymer. In addition, these proteolitic sequences were chosen in a way that, after proteolitic action, the released fragments will be bioactive. These fragments are expected to promote cell proliferation activity, angiogenesis and other bioactivities of interest for tissue growing, repairing and healing. After purification, the resulting polymers proved to be of high purity and correct sequence. Glutaraldehyde has shown to be a cross-linking agent for this polymer, yielding insoluble hydrogel matrice...Continue Reading
Citations
Nanobiotechnological approach to engineered biomaterial design: the example of elastin-like polymers
Genetically engineered elastin-like polymer as a substratum to culture cells from the ocular surface
Influence of the amino-acid sequence on the inverse temperature transition of elastin-like polymers.
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Adhesion Molecules in Health and Disease
Cell adhesion molecules are a subset of cell adhesion proteins located on the cell surface involved in binding with other cells or with the extracellular matrix in the process called cell adhesion. In essence, cell adhesion molecules help cells stick to each other and to their surroundings. Cell adhesion is a crucial component in maintaining tissue structure and function. Discover the latest research on adhesion molecule and their role in health and disease here.