Extracellular matrix-like surfactant polymers containing arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides

Macromol Biosci. 2004 Aug 9;4(8):766-75. doi: 10.1002/mabi.200300125.

Abstract

We report on a novel series of biomimetic polymers exhibiting interfacial properties similar to the extracellular matrix. A series of well-defined surfactant polymers were synthesized by simultaneously incorporating arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide, dextran oligosaccharide, and hexyl ligands with controlled feed ratios onto a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) backbone. The peptide sequence was H-GSSSGRGDSPA-NH(2) (Pep) having a hydrophilic extender at the amino terminus and capped carboxy terminus. The peptide-to-dextran (Pep:Dex) ratios were varied to create surfactants having 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mol-% peptide relative to dextran. The surfactants were characterized by IR, NMR and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for composition and surface active properties. AFM confirmed full surface coverage of PVAm(Pep)(100%) on graphite, and supported the mechanism of interdigitation of hexyl ligands between surfactant molecules within a specified range of hexyl chain densities. the attachment and growth of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells on the PVAm(Pep)(100%) surface was identical to the fibronectin positive control. Cell adhesion decreased dramatically with decreasing peptide density on the surfactant polymers. Molecular model of a peptide surfactant polymer, consisting of poly(vinyl amine) backbone with peptide, dextran oligosaccharide and hexyl branches coupled to the polymer chain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Division
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Pulmonary Artery / cytology
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Polymers
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid