Thermo-responsive human alpha-elastin self-assembled nanoparticles for protein delivery

Abstract

Self-assembled nanoparticles based on PEGylated human alpha-elastin were prepared as a potential vehicle for sustained protein delivery. The alpha-elastin was extracted from human adipose tissue and modified with methoxypolyethyleneglycol (mPEG) to control particle size and enhance the colloidal stability. The PEGylated human alpha-elastin showed sol-to-particle transition with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 25 degrees C-40 degrees C in aqueous media. The PEGylated human alpha-elastin nanoparticles (PhENPs) showed a narrow size distribution with an average diameter of 330 +/- 33 nm and were able to encapsulate significant amounts of insulin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) upon simple mixing at low temperature in water and subsequent heating to physiological temperature. The release profiles of insulin and BSA showed sustained release for 72 h. Overall, the thermo-responsive self-assembled PhENPs provide a useful tool for a range of protein delivery and tissue engineering applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.