Fibrillar gels via the self-assembly of poly(L-glutamate)-based statistical copolymers

摘要: Polypeptides having secondary structures often undergo self-assembly which can extend over multiple length scales. Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG), for example, folds into α-helices and forms physical organogels, whereas poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA at acidic pH) or poly(L-glutamate) (PLG neutral/basic do not form hydrogels. We explored the gelation of modified PBLG investigated deprotection carboxylic acid moieties in such gels to yield unique This was accomplished through photo-crosslinking poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate-co-allylglycine) statistical copolymers toluene, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane. Unlike most polymer-based chemical gels, our were prepared from dilute solutions (<20 g L−1, i.e., <2% w/v) low molar mass polymers. Despite concentrations masses, dioxane showed high mechanical stability little shrinkage; remarkably, they also exhibited a porous fibrillar network. Deprotection yielded pH responsive highly absorbent PLGA/PLG-based hydrogels (swelling ratio up 87), while preserving network structure, is an unprecedented feature context crosslinked PLGA gels. These outstanding properties are attractive biomedical materials.