Crosslinked polypentapeptide of tropoelastin: an insoluble, serum calcifiable matrix

Abstract

The synthetic, cross-linked polypentapeptide of tropoelastin calcifies from serum alone even when separated from the serum medium by a dialysis membrane with a low-molecular-weight cut off. By microprobe analysis, it appeared that the only serum elements required for the calcification were Ca and P. Thin sections of the calcified matrix showed the calcification to occur throughout the matrix, and thereby verified that it is a bulk property of the matrix and not an interfacial property. This is the 1st demonstration of an insoluble, synthetic polypeptide to function as a serum calcifiable matrix; it opens the door to potential medical applications.