Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional Functions

Hydrogel network structures play a crucial role in determining mechanical properties and have broad applications in biomedical and industrial fields. Therefore, their rational design is essential. Herein, we developed a Schiff base-crosslinked hydrogel through the reaction of Tetra-armed polyethylen...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuanyuan Qu, Jinlong Li, Xin Jia, Lijun Yin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Functional Biomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4983/16/2/69
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849719512686919680
author Yuanyuan Qu
Jinlong Li
Xin Jia
Lijun Yin
author_facet Yuanyuan Qu
Jinlong Li
Xin Jia
Lijun Yin
author_sort Yuanyuan Qu
collection DOAJ
description Hydrogel network structures play a crucial role in determining mechanical properties and have broad applications in biomedical and industrial fields. Therefore, their rational design is essential. Herein, we developed a Schiff base-crosslinked hydrogel through the reaction of Tetra-armed polyethylene glycol with aldehyde end groups (Tetra-PEG-CHO) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) under alkaline conditions. In addition, the Tetra-PEG-BSA hydrogel showed a rapid gelation time of around 11 s, much faster than that of the GLU-BSA, HT-BSA, and GDL-BSA hydrogels. It had high optical transmittance (92.92% at 600 nm) and swelling ratios superior to the other gels in different solutions, maintaining structural integrity even in denaturing environments such as guanidine hydrochloride and SDS. Mechanical tests showed superior strain at break (84.12 ± 0.76%), rupture stress (28.64 ± 1.21 kPa), and energy dissipation ability (468.0 ± 34.9 kJ·m<sup>−3</sup>), surpassing all control group hydrogels. MTT cytotoxicity assays indicated that cell viability remained >80% at lower concentrations, confirming excellent biocompatibility. These findings suggest that Tetra-PEG-BSA hydrogels may serve as effective materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and 3D printing.
format Article
id doaj-art-a02d43902ec74656a43c1c26d9f8bf6a
institution DOAJ
issn 2079-4983
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Journal of Functional Biomaterials
spelling doaj-art-a02d43902ec74656a43c1c26d9f8bf6a2025-08-20T03:12:08ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Biomaterials2079-49832025-02-011626910.3390/jfb16020069Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional FunctionsYuanyuan Qu0Jinlong Li1Xin Jia2Lijun Yin3College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, 17 Qinghua Donglu, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, 11 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, 17 Qinghua Donglu, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, 17 Qinghua Donglu, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, ChinaHydrogel network structures play a crucial role in determining mechanical properties and have broad applications in biomedical and industrial fields. Therefore, their rational design is essential. Herein, we developed a Schiff base-crosslinked hydrogel through the reaction of Tetra-armed polyethylene glycol with aldehyde end groups (Tetra-PEG-CHO) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) under alkaline conditions. In addition, the Tetra-PEG-BSA hydrogel showed a rapid gelation time of around 11 s, much faster than that of the GLU-BSA, HT-BSA, and GDL-BSA hydrogels. It had high optical transmittance (92.92% at 600 nm) and swelling ratios superior to the other gels in different solutions, maintaining structural integrity even in denaturing environments such as guanidine hydrochloride and SDS. Mechanical tests showed superior strain at break (84.12 ± 0.76%), rupture stress (28.64 ± 1.21 kPa), and energy dissipation ability (468.0 ± 34.9 kJ·m<sup>−3</sup>), surpassing all control group hydrogels. MTT cytotoxicity assays indicated that cell viability remained >80% at lower concentrations, confirming excellent biocompatibility. These findings suggest that Tetra-PEG-BSA hydrogels may serve as effective materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and 3D printing.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4983/16/2/69hydrogelSchiff baseBSATetra-PEGprotein
spellingShingle Yuanyuan Qu
Jinlong Li
Xin Jia
Lijun Yin
Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional Functions
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
hydrogel
Schiff base
BSA
Tetra-PEG
protein
title Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional Functions
title_full Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional Functions
title_fullStr Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional Functions
title_full_unstemmed Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional Functions
title_short Schiff Base-Crosslinked Tetra-PEG-BSA Hydrogel: Design, Properties, and Multifunctional Functions
title_sort schiff base crosslinked tetra peg bsa hydrogel design properties and multifunctional functions
topic hydrogel
Schiff base
BSA
Tetra-PEG
protein
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4983/16/2/69
work_keys_str_mv AT yuanyuanqu schiffbasecrosslinkedtetrapegbsahydrogeldesignpropertiesandmultifunctionalfunctions
AT jinlongli schiffbasecrosslinkedtetrapegbsahydrogeldesignpropertiesandmultifunctionalfunctions
AT xinjia schiffbasecrosslinkedtetrapegbsahydrogeldesignpropertiesandmultifunctionalfunctions
AT lijunyin schiffbasecrosslinkedtetrapegbsahydrogeldesignpropertiesandmultifunctionalfunctions