Synthesis and Biomaterials Application of Polymers Containing Pentapeptide and/or Hexapeptide Sequences Derived from Elastin

摘要

Elastin is an insoluble core protein of elastin fiber in elastic tissues such as arterial walls, ligaments, lungs, skin, etc. Soluble elastin molecules, tropoelastin (precursor protein of fibrous elastin) and alpha-elastin (chemical fragmentation product from fibrous elastin), exhibit an interesting and unique property. That is to say, these soluble elastin molecules form clear homogeneous solution at below room temperature, but on raising the temperature to body temperature or above, the solution becomes turbid in which microcoacervate droplets with diameters of approximately 1000 nm are formed. This process is reversible and called coacervation. Furthermore, these soluble elastin molecules are known to be chemoattractants for fibroblasts, monocytes, and macrophages.