Immobilization of tripeptide growth factor glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine on poly(vinylalcohol)-quarternized stilbazole (PVA-SbQ) and its use as a ligand for hepatocyte attachment.
Kawase. M M; Miura. N N; Kurikawa. N N; Masuda. K K; Higashiyama. S S; Yagi. K K; Mizoguchi. T T
Key Findings
- GHK can be chemically linked to a PVA‑SbQ gel at a density of about 70 nmol per cm².
- Rat hepatocytes readily attach to and form spheroids on GHK‑coated gel, but not on uncoated gel.
- Extending the distance between the gel surface and GHK with a dodecamethylenediamine spacer increases cell attachment.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers interested in tissue‑engineering or organ‑on‑a‑chip experiments, this study suggests that coating a biocompatible surface with GHK (and using a spacer to improve accessibility) can help liver cells adhere and grow. However, the work is limited to cell culture and does not provide dosage or safety guidance for human use.
Summary
Scientists attached the small peptide GHK to a special gel and found that liver cells (hepatocytes) stick to it and form little 3‑D clusters, while they don't stick to the same gel without GHK. Adding a spacer molecule made even more cells attach. This shows GHK can act like a glue for liver cells in lab dishes.
Abstract
A tripeptide growth factor, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK), was immobilized on the surface of poly(vinylalcohol)-quarternized stilbazole (PVA-SbQ) gel. The photoreactive substance, 4-(3-trifluoromethylazirino)benzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide (TDBA-OSu), was employed to link the gel and ligand GHK. The density of immobilized GHK was 70 nmol/cm2. Isolated rat hepatocytes were inoculated on the GHK-immobilized PVA-SbQ gel and cultured for 5 d. About 24 h after inoculation, hepatocytes started to aggregate and formed multicellular spheroids while almost no cells attached to GHK-non-immobilized PVA-SbQ gel. The formed spheroids attached firmly to the surface of PVA-SbQ gel for 5 d. GHK was, thus, shown to be an effective ligand for hepatocyte attachment. Dodecamethylenediamine was used to extend the length between the gel surface and GHK. Extension of the length significantly increased the number of attached hepatocytes.
Study Information
pubmed
1999
10.1248/bpb.22.999