An Elastin-Like Protein for Injectable Tissue-Like Network.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Protein-based tissue fillers are promising for adipose regeneration due to their biocompatibility and tunable properties. Inspired by elastin's structure, we designed a low-immunogenicity "multiple-domain-collective elastin-like" (MDCE) protein for injectable tissue-like networks. The MDCE protein was composed of thermal-responsive elastin-like peptides (disordered domains), polyalanine enrichment (functional ordered domains), and zwitterionic polypeptides (hydrophilic domains). This design endows the MDCE protein hydrogel with in situ injectability and antifouling properties, resulting in a tissue-like modulus-tunable filler formation in vivo without chemical cross-linkers and prevention of foreign body rejection. Adipose stem cells, encapsulated in the MDCE hydrogel, can maintain activity for at least ∼9 days (>80% survival rate). In a rat model of adipose tissue defect, a 3-month injection of MDCE hydrogel for efficiently filling adipose tissue presents superior stability and lower immunogenicity compared to the bovine-source elastin proteins. This work provides methods for tissue fillers and scaffolds, aiding medical regeneration, particularly facial rejuvenation.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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