ABSTRACT
In this paper, first, elastin-derived peptides (EPs) with low molecular weight were prepared by acid degradation. Second, elastin-derived peptide hydrogels were fabricated by crosslinking EP with genipin. EP exhibited an inverse transition temperature, and the inverse transition temperature (Tt) could be adjusted by changing the concentration and molecular weight of EP, pH, and adding salt. The freeze-dried EP hydrogels were obviously three-dimensional network structure and the property of EP hydrogel can be optimized by dosage of genipin. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests and the swelling ratio changing with temperature showed the crosslinked EP hydrogels were still thermosensitive and exhibited a negative swelling behavior. The compression modulus of EP hydrogels can even reach 39.4 kPa, surpassing many other elastin-based hydrogels. This genipin crosslinked EP hydrogel is a good biological material and has great potentiality in tissue engineering.