1 research outputs found
Recombinant Spider Silk Hydrogels for Sustained Release of Biologicals
Therapeutic
biologics (i.e., proteins) have been widely recognized
for the treatment, prevention, and cure of a variety of human diseases
and syndromes. However, design of novel protein-delivery systems to
achieve a nontoxic, constant, and efficient delivery with minimal
doses of therapeutic biologics is still challenging. Here, recombinant
spider silk-based materials are employed as a delivery system for
the administration of therapeutic biologicals. Hydrogels made of the
recombinant spider silk protein eADF4Â(C16) were used to encapsulate
the model biologicals BSA, HRP, and LYS by direct loading or through
diffusion, and their release was studied. Release of model biologicals
from eADF4Â(C16) hydrogels is in part dependent on the electrostatic
interaction between the biological and the recombinant spider silk
protein variant used. In addition, tailoring the pore sizes of eADF4Â(C16)
hydrogels strongly influenced the release kinetics. In a second approach,
a particles-in-hydrogel system was used, showing a prolonged release
in comparison with that of plain hydrogels (from days to week). The
particle-enforced spider silk hydrogels are injectable and can be
3D printed. These initial studies indicate the potential of recombinant
spider silk proteins to design novel injectable hydrogels that are
suitable for delivering therapeutic biologics