Pentapeptide-modified poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering

Poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) (PDEAAm) hydrogel scaffolds were prepared by radical copolymerization of N,N‐diethylacrylamide (DEAAm), N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide and methacrylic acid in the presence of (NH4)2SO4 or NaCl. The hydrogels were characterized by low‐vacuum scanning electron microscopy in the water‐swollen state, water and cyclohexane regain, and by mercury porosimetry. The pentapeptide, YIGSR‐NH2, was immobilized on the hydrogel. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were cultured with the hydrogels to test their biocompatibility. The results suggest that the PDEAAm hydrogel scaffolds are nontoxic and support hESC attachment and proliferation, and that interconnected pores of the scaffolds are important for hESC cultivation. Immobilization of YIGSR‐NH2 pentapeptide on the PDEAAm surface improved both adhesion and growth of hESCs compared with the unmodified hydrogel. The YIGSR‐NH2‐modified PDEAAm hydrogels may be a useful tool for tissue‐engineering purposes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.