Abstract
AbstractMechanically robust hydrogels that degrade only via cell action have potential as scaffolds for the generation of load‐bearing soft connective tissue. This study demonstrates that terminally acrylated 4‐arm‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐oligo(trimethylene carbonate) (4a‐PEG‐(TMC)n) can be readily reacted with a collagenase‐degradable bis‐cysteine peptide to form hydrogels. The inclusion of the TMC blocks renders the hydrogels mechanically tough when tested under compression, with modulus and toughness values within the range of those of articular cartilage. Moreover, the hydrogels formed are resistant to degradation by hydrolysis in the absence of collagenase but degrade via surface erosion in the presence of collagenase. The strategy employed to form these hydrogels is readily tailored to create a variety of tough, enzyme‐degradable hydrogels of varying mechanical and degradation properties.
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