Crosslinkable polypeptide compositions
US6565842B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K2035/128
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided rapidly crosslinkable polypeptides which are obtained upon introduction of unsaturated group(s) into the polypeptide via linkage to amino acid residues on the polypeptide directly through one of three types of linkages, namely, an amide linkage, an ester linkage, or a thioester linkage. Each of these linkages are obtainable in a single step by use of a single derivatizing agent, acrylic anhydride. Also provided are methods for preparing such modified polypeptides and various uses therefor. It has unexpectedly been found that proteins with the above-described chemical modifications have the ability to rapidly crosslink to themselves under suitable conditions. This crosslinking occurs in the absence of any external crosslinking agents (indeed, in the absence of any extraneous agents), resulting in the formation of a solid gel material. Solid crosslinked gels are formed in seconds, starting from a freely flowing solution of polypeptide. Applications of such materials are broad ranging, including the encapsulation of living cells, the encapsulation of biologically active materials, the in situ formation of degradable gels, th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.