Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2012-08-14

Synthesis and characterization of PEG-based drug-responsive biohybrid hydrogels.

Raphael J Gübeli, Martin Ehrbar, Martin Fussenegger, Christian Friedrich, Wilfried Weber

Index: Macromol. Rapid Commun. 33(15) , 1280-5, (2012)

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Abstract

Interactive materials being responsive to a biocompatible stimulus represent a promising approach for future therapeutic applications. In this study, we present a novel biohybrid material synthesized from biocompatible components being stimulus-responsive to the pharmaceutically approved small-molecule novobiocin. The hydrogel design is based on the gyrase B (GyrB) protein, which is covalently grafted to multi-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) using a Michael-type addition reaction. Upon addition of the GyrB-dimerizing substance coumermycin, stable hydrogels form which can be dissolved in a dose-adjustable manner by the antibiotic novobiocin. The switchable properties of this PEG-based hydrogel are favorable for future applications in tissue engineering and as externally controlled drug depot.Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.