Photoresponsive protein hydrogels and methods and uses thereof
AssigneeThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
InventorsFei Sun, Ri Wang
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides light-sensitive protein hydrogels, and methods of their use thereof. The hydrogels can be used for cell encapsulation, culturing, and selective release under appropriate light conditions.
Claims20
A light-responsive hydrogel biopolymer matrix comprising:
- (a) one or a plurality of light-responsive gelation initiator complexes comprising the protein photoreceptor CarHc and the multi-dentate ligand adenosylcobalamin, connected to one or a plurality of a first extracellular matrix protein fragments, and
- (b) two or more cross-linkable proteins connected to one or a plurality of a second extracellular matrix protein fragments,
- wherein the first extracellular matrix protein fragments and second extracellular matrix protein fragments are independently selected from elastin fragments which comprise a repeating polypeptide having the sequence of (VPGXG)n (SEQ ID NO:
- 23), wherein X represents valine or glutamate, the ratio of valine to glutamate ranges from 10:1 to 1:10, n is an integer selected from 2 to 25, the two or more cross-linkable proteins are SpyTag and SpyCatcher, and
- the matrix is responsive to light comprising a wavelength from about 300 nm to about 600 nm.
A light-responsive hydrogel biopolymer matrix comprising:
- a first telechelic biopolymer which comprises a first light-responsive gelation initiator complex covalently bound to the first extracellular matrix protein fragments which are covalently bound to a first two or more cross-linkable proteins, and
- a second telechelic biopolymer which comprises a second light-responsive gelation initiator complex covalently bound to the second extracellular matrix protein fragments which are covalently bound to a second two or more cross-linkable proteins.
A method for producing a light-responsive hydrogel biopolymer matrix, the method comprising dissolving one or a plurality of light-responsive gelation initiator complexes comprising the protein photoreceptor CarHc and the multi-dentate ligand adenosylcobalamin connected to one or a plurality of a first extracellular matrix protein fragments and two or more cross-linkable proteins connected to one or a plurality of a second extracellular matrix protein fragments in an aqueous solution to form a gelation mixture under light which does not comprise a wavelength of less than about 600 nm,
- wherein the first extracellular matrix protein fragments and second extracellular matrix protein fragments are independently selected from elastin fragments which comprise a repeating polypeptide having the sequence of (VPGXG)n (SEQ ID NO:
- 23), wherein X represents valine or glutamate, the ratio of valine to glutamate ranges from 10:1 to 1:10, n is an integer selected from 2 to 25, and
- the two or more cross-linkable proteins are SpyTag and SpyCatcher.
A method of culturing cells in a photoresponsive hydrogel matrix, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) dissolving one or more cells in an aqueous solution,
- (b) dissolving one or a plurality of light-responsive gelation initiator complexes comprising the protein photoreceptor CarHc and the multi-dentate ligand adenosylcobalamin connected to one or a plurality of a first extracellular matrix protein fragments and two or more cross-linkable proteins connected to one or a plurality of a second extracellular matrix protein fragments in an aqueous solution comprising one or more cells to form a gelation mixture under light which does not comprise a wavelength of less than about 600 nm,
- wherein the first extracellular matrix protein fragments and second extracellular matrix protein fragments are independently selected from elastin fragments which comprise a repeating polypeptide having the sequence of (VPGXG)n (SEQ ID NO:
- 24), wherein X represents valine or glutamate, the ratio of valine to glutamate ranges from 10:1 to 1:10, n is an integer selected from 5 to 25, and
- the two or more cross-linkable proteins are SpyTag and SpyCatcher.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.