Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels conjugated with a collagenase-sensitive fluorogenic substrate to visualize collagenase activity during three-dimensional cell migration.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

We have developed collagenase-sensitive hydrogels by incorporating a collagenase-sensitive fluorogenic substrate (CS-FS) within the backbone of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) copolymer to visualize collagenase activity during three-dimensional cell migration. CS-FS was synthesized by conjugating Bodipy dyes to a peptide with collagenase-sensitive sequence, Leu-Gly-Pro-Ala (LGPA), and the products were grafted into the collagenase-sensitive PEG hydrogels. CS-FS both in solution and hydrogels had an increase in the fluorescence intensity after proteolytic degradation by collagenase, but not by non-targeted proteases nor in the absence of an enzyme. Fibroblasts inside the hydrogels conjugated with CS-FS spread and extended lamellipodia in three dimensions over several days, and their pericellular collagenase-mediated proteolysis of the hydrogel was visualized via confocal microscopy. A matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, served as a negative control, significantly reduced the degradation rate of CS-FS by collagenase and prevented cell migration and cell-mediated collagenase activity inside these hydrogels. In summary, we have fabricated collagenase-sensitive hydrogels incorporated with CS-FS and successfully visualized the collagenase activity during three-dimensional cell migration.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Lee, S-H; Moon, JJ; Miller, JS; West, JL

Published Date

  • July 2007

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 28 / 20

Start / End Page

  • 3163 - 3170

PubMed ID

  • 17395258

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1878-5905

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0142-9612

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2007.03.004

Language

  • eng