Tunable Synthesis of Hydrogel Microfibers via Interfacial Tetrazine Ligation

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Jul 11;23(7):3017-3030. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00504. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Abstract

Crosslinked, degradable, and cell-adhesive hydrogel microfibers were synthesized via interfacial polymerization employing tetrazine ligation, an exceptionally fast bioorthogonal reaction between strained trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and s-tetrazine (Tz). A hydrophobic trisTCO crosslinker and homo-difunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based macromers with the tetrazine group conjugated to PEG via a stable carbamate (PEG-bisTz1) bond or a labile hydrazone (PEG-bisTz2) linkage were synthesized. After laying an ethyl acetate solution of trisTCO over an aqueous solution of bisTz macromers, mechanically robust microfibers were continuously pulled from the oil-water interface. The resultant microfibers exhibited comparable mechanical and thermal properties but different aqueous stability. Combining PEG-bisTz2 and PEG-bisTz3 with a dangling arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide in the aqueous phase yielded degradable fibers that supported the attachment and growth of primary vocal fold fibroblasts. The degradable and cell-adhesive hydrogel microfibers are expected to find utility in a wide array of tissue engineering applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fibroblasts
  • Heterocyclic Compounds*
  • Hydrogels* / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polymerization
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Hydrogels
  • Polyethylene Glycols