Acyl-Gelatins for Cell-Hybrid Biomaterials: Preparation of Gelatins with High Melting Point and Affinity for Hydrophobic Surfaces

Keiichi      Miyamoto; Hiroko      Chinzei; Takashi      Komai

Abstract

In the development of cell-hybrid biomaterials, the functional activity of cells depends on the selective binding of cells to artificial ligands on the biomaterials. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the most important ligand for cell activity. ECM is known to contain collagen, one of whose constituents is gelatin. Although natural gelatin has good cell attachment properties, the melting point of gelatin hydrogel is lower than body temperature. Thus, non-chemically cross-linked gelatin hydrogel is not a biomaterial that is used for prostheses. In the present study, we report the preparation of acyl-gelatin hydrogels with high melting point ( > 37°C) and high affinity for hydrophobic surfaces for easy handling for transportation and adhesion activities on the hydrophobic surfaces. In addition, the doubling time of endothelial cells on the coated cell culture plate was faster than that of natural gelatin owing to the higher adhesion activity of acyl-gelatin. The results clearly demonstrated that the acyl-gelatin acted as an interface that enabled cell adhesion to artificial materials surfaces.

Keywords: ACYL-GELATINS, Cell-Hybrid, Gelatins, Hydrophobic Surfaces

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