TAGS: Natural-based Adhesives
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research or Empa researchers have developed a novel tissue adhesive inspired by nature, which can repair lesions in muscle tissue. The researchers have taken advantage of the incredible ability of marine mussels to adhere to any kind of surface.
Developing Tissue Glue for Beating Heart
Marine mussels adhere stoically to rocks, boats and jetties. The mussel's foot holds on to the surface, as its glands produce fine threads which, unlike spider silk, remain firm under water and yet highly elastic. Two proteins, mfp-3 and the particularly sulfurous mfp-6, are components of this sea silk. As structural proteins, they are especially interesting for biomedical research because of their fascinating mechanical properties and their biocompatibility.
Researchers from Empa's "Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles" lab in St. Gallen have made use of these properties. Claudio Toncelli's team was looking for a biocompatible tissue glue that would adhere to the beating heart while remaining elastic, even under the most challenging conditions. After all, if heart muscle tissue is damaged, for instance by a heart attack or a congenital disorder, the wounds must be able to heal, even though the muscle continues to contract.
Incorporating Mussels Protein in Gelatin
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Actually, collagen is a suitable basis for a wound glue, a protein that is also found in human connective tissue and tendons," said Toncelli. For example, gelatin consists of cross-linked collagen that would be very attractive for a tissue adhesive.
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The structure of gelatin already comes very close to some of the natural properties of human connective tissue," added Toncelli. However, the hydrocolloid is not stable at body temperature, but liquefies. So, in order to develop an adhesive material that can securely connect wounded areas on internal organs, the researchers had to find a way to incorporate additional properties into gelatin.
New Adhesive Resists Pressure Equivalent to Human Blood Pressure
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The muscular foot of mussels excretes strongly adhesive threads, with which the mussel can adhere to all kinds of surfaces in water," said Toncelli. In this sea silk, several proteins interact tightly. Inspired by nature's solution for dealing with turbulent forces under water, the researchers equipped gelatin biopolymers with functional chemical units like those of the sea silk proteins mfp-3 and mfp-6. As soon as the gelatin sea silk gel contacts tissue, the structural proteins cross-link with each other and ensure a stable connection between the wound surfaces.
The researchers have already investigated how well the novel hydrogel adheres in lab experiments that are usually used to define technical standards for so-called bursting strength.
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The tissue adhesive can resist a pressure equivalent to human blood pressure," said Empa researcher Kongchang Wei. The scientists were also able to confirm the outstanding tissue compatibility of the new adhesive in cell culture experiments. They are now trying hard to advance the clinical application of the "mussel glue".
Source: Empa