Methylcelluloses end-functionalized with peptides as thermoresponsive supramolecular hydrogelators

This paper describes the synthesis of methylcelluloses end-functionalized with peptides and an investigation into their functions. We found that aqueous solutions of methylcellulose end-functionalized not only with carbohydrates but also with peptide segments, such as di(arginine) and di(glutamic acid), behave as thermoresponsive supramolecular hydrogelators at human-body temperature. The slow drug release from thermoresponsive hydrogels of methylcelluloses end-functionalized with peptides is attributed to ionic interactions between model drugs and peptide segments in these hydrogels. Reactions of methylated cellobiose with di(arginine) and di(glutamic acid) were used to determine optimum reaction conditions for the synthesis of methylcelluloses end-functionalized with these peptide residues). The surface activities, zeta potentials, thermal properties, hydrogelation behavior, and cytotoxicities of these peptide-functionalized methylcelluloses are also discussed. Graphical abstract