Fibrous materials are important components within hierarchical biomaterials of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). We sought to create hybrid peptide-polymer microfibers that compositionally, structurally, and mechanically resemble fibrous proteins found in the ECM, with added tunability and processability introduced by synthetic polymer constituents. To promote cell growth and differentiation, synthetic materials should exhibit degradation properties similar to that of natural proteins found in the native ECM. Here, degradable multiblock copolymer microfibers were synthesized via interfacial polymerization employing tetrazine ligation, an exceptionally fast bioorthogonal reaction between strained trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and s-tetrazine (Tz). The modular approach allows for straightforward incorporation of bioactive peptide sequences and degradable synthetic polymer repeats to guide cell-material interactions. In this work, a biologically active protease-cleavable peptide epitope and/or hydrolytically cleavable hydrazone bonds are introduced to the polymer backbone, resulting in microfibers tunable degradation kinetics. We show that the versatile fibrous platform provides biochemical and biophysical cues to modulate the phenotype and functions of primary vocal fold fibroblasts.

Degradable peptide-polymer microfibers via interfacial tetrazine ligation

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.