Versatile biomaterials as synthetic extracellular matrices based on a single supramolecular motif: from hydrogels to thermoplastic elastomers

摘要

The contact and integration of synthetic materials with(in) living systems such as cells and tissue ask for specific material requirements. We propose that these synthetic materials should be able to adapt their structure to the living system with the same dynamics as the living system can do. The interplay between synthetic and living materials is a bidirectional process in which both 'materials' show spatiotemporal adaptation, i.e. dynamic reciprocity. Bioinspired biomaterials based on supramolecular units intrinsically show this dynamic behavior. Furthermore, in order to be able to apply these biomaterials in regenerative medicine applications these materials should also be robust. We additionally propose that both a hierarchical fiber-like structure and bioactivity are important in regulation of biological processes. Here, we show the development of synthetic supramolecular biomaterials that mimic several aspects of the natural extracellular matrix. The materials developed, are held together via directed, non-covalent interactions based on quadruple hydrogen bonding ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) units. For load-bearing applications different materials are required than for applications in which for example drugs have to be released. Therefore, our research focusses on two types of UPy-functionalized materials that can be used for various applications, i.e. thermoplastic elastomeric materials and hydrogels. We show the design criteria to both types of UPy-materials, and their respective properties. The supramolecular thermoplastic elastomeric materials are applied for the development of vascular grafts that in-situ can be engineered, and are used for the amelioration of hemodialysis through the development of bilayered supramolecular membranes on which kidney cells can be cultured outside the body. The supramolecular hydrogels are investigated to deliver drugs to the infarcted heart via catheter injection.