Elastin-like polypeptides are a class of naturally derived and non-immunogenic biomaterials that are widely used in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Elastin-like polypeptides undergo temperature-mediated inverse phase transitioning, which allows them to be purified in a relatively simple manner from bacterial expression hosts. Being able to genetically encode elastin-like polypeptides allows for the incorporation of bioactive peptides, thereby functionalizing them. Here, we report the synthesis of a biologically active epidermal growth factor–elastin-like polypeptide fusion protein that could aid in wound healing. Epidermal growth factor plays a crucial role in wound healing by inducing cell proliferation and migration. The use of exogenous epidermal growth factor has seen success in the treatment of acute wounds, but has seen relatively minimal success in chronic wounds because the method of delivery does not prevent it from diffusing away from the application site. Our data show that epidermal growth factor–elastin-like polypeptide retained the biological activity of epidermal growth factor and the phase transitioning property of elastin-like polypeptide. Furthermore, the ability of the epidermal growth factor–elastin-like polypeptide to self-assemble near physiological temperatures could allow for the formation of drug depots at the wound site and minimize diffusion, increasing the bioavailability of epidermal growth factor and enhancing tissue regeneration.

中文翻译：

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用于药物递送和组织再生的生长因子功能化生物材料

弹性蛋白样多肽是一类天然来源的非免疫原性生物材料，广泛用于药物递送和组织工程。弹性蛋白样多肽经历温度介导的逆相转变，这使得它们能够以相对简单的方式从细菌表达宿主中纯化。能够基因编码弹性蛋白样多肽允许掺入生物活性肽，从而使它们功能化。在这里，我们报告了一种可帮助伤口愈合的生物活性表皮生长因子-弹性蛋白样多肽融合蛋白的合成。表皮生长因子通过诱导细胞增殖和迁移在伤口愈合中起着至关重要的作用。外源性表皮生长因子在治疗急性伤口方面取得了成功，但在慢性伤口上的成功率相对较低，因为递送方法并不能阻止它从应用部位扩散开。我们的数据表明，表皮生长因子-弹性蛋白样多肽保留了表皮生长因子的生物活性和弹性蛋白样多肽的相变特性。此外，表皮生长因子-弹性蛋白样多肽在接近生理温度时自组装的能力可以允许在伤口部位形成药物库并最大限度地减少扩散，增加表皮生长因子的生物利用度并增强组织再生。我们的数据表明，表皮生长因子-弹性蛋白样多肽保留了表皮生长因子的生物活性和弹性蛋白样多肽的相变特性。此外，表皮生长因子-弹性蛋白样多肽在接近生理温度时自组装的能力可以允许在伤口部位形成药物库并最大限度地减少扩散，增加表皮生长因子的生物利用度并增强组织再生。我们的数据表明，表皮生长因子-弹性蛋白样多肽保留了表皮生长因子的生物活性和弹性蛋白样多肽的相变特性。此外，表皮生长因子-弹性蛋白样多肽在接近生理温度时自组装的能力可以允许在伤口部位形成药物库并最大限度地减少扩散，增加表皮生长因子的生物利用度并增强组织再生。