Protein-Cross-Linked Triple-Responsive Polymer Networks Based on Molecular Recognition

Hydrogels containing protein components are a type of promising biomaterial. In this paper, we designed triple responsive polymer-protein networks based on molecular recognition. Reduced bovine serum albumin (BSA) was modified with multiple beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD) by thiol-disulfide exchange reaction. The beta CD-modified BSA was added into the aqueous solution of acrylamide copolymer with pendant adamantyl groups, resulting in the formation of polymer-protein network structures. The assembled polymer networks show triple-responsive behaviors upon treatment with trypsin, reduced glutathione, or native beta CD. The network structures may find applications in tissue engineering and drug controlled release.