Delivery of bioactive albumin from multi‐functional polyampholyte hydrogels. Issue 35 (22nd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haag, Stephanie L.; Martinez‐Alvarez, Jacquelin; Schiele, Nathan R.; Bernards, Matthew T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied polymer science. Volume 139:Issue 35(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-07-22
• Subjects: bovine serum albumin -- calcium -- multi‐functional -- polyampholyte hydrogels; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/app.52846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8995

Abstract

Abstract: Tissue engineered scaffolds are currently being explored to aid in healing and regeneration of non‐union fractures in bone. Additionally, albumin has been demonstrated to provide benefits to healing when applied to injury sites. This article focuses on delivery of calcium modified, bioactive bovine serum albumin (BSA) from a multi‐functional polyampholyte polymer scaffold. First, the inherent nonfouling and conjugation properties of the polyampholyte hydrogel were verified to determine the impact of calcium exposure. The polyampholyte hydrogel delivery platform was then assessed with calcium titrations and osteoblast‐like cell (MC3T3‐E1) adhesion, proliferation, and viability evaluations. Finally, integrin inhibitors were used to identify the binding mechanisms that mediate cell adhesion to the calcium‐modified BSA‐conjugated hydrogels. An increase in cell adhesion was observed following calcium exposure up to 0.075 M, although this and higher calcium concentrations affected hydrogel stability and cell growth. BSA exposed to 0.05 M calcium and delivered from polyampholyte hydrogels promoted the most promising viable cell adhesion over 7 days. Cell adhesion to the calcium‐modified BSA‐conjugated hydrogels appeared to be regulated by arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD) and collagen‐specific integrins. These results demonstrate that the delivery of calcium modified BSA from an implantable polymer scaffold is promising for bone tissue engineering applications. Abstract : Bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been demonstrated to promote cell adhesion following exposure to calcium and to enhance healing at bone injury sites. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate the delivery of calcium‐modified BSA from a polyampholyte hydrogel platform for future bone tissue regeneration applications.