Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1424002 Journal of Controlled Release 2014 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

The reversible attachment of proteins to polymers is one potential strategy to control protein release from hydrogels. In this study, we report the reversible attachment of lysozyme to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) by degradable carbamate linkers. Phenyl groups with different substituents were used to control the rate of carbamate hydrolysis and the resulting protein release. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed modification with 1–3 PEG chains per lysozyme molecule. Protein PEGylation and PEG chain elimination occurred without changes in secondary protein structure, as demonstrated by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The lytic activity of lysozyme was restored to 73.4 ± 1.7%–92.5 ± 1.2% during PEG chain elimination. Attached PEG chains were eliminated within 24 h to 28 days, depending on the used linker molecule. When formulated into hydrogels, a maximum of about 60% of the initial dose was released within 7 days to 21 days. Linker elimination occurs ‘traceless’, so that the protein is released in its native, unmodified form. Altogether, we believe that tethering proteins by degradable carbamate linkers is a promising strategy to control their release from hydrogels.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (349 K)Download as PowerPoint slide

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Biomaterials
Authors
, , , ,