Biomineralization on chemically synthesized collagen containing immobilized poly-γ-glutamic acid

Abstract

Chemically synthesized collagen with a triple helix structure similar to that of natural collagen is attractive as a safe biomaterial. Hybrids of chemically synthesized collagen and apatite are proposed for novel bone substitutes. However their apatite-forming ability in simulated body fluid is still quite low. We examined acceleration of apatite formation on collagen by immobilized poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA), which has excellent apatite-forming ability. Apatite was formed within 3 days when collagen was treated with PGA solutions containing an appropriate amount of CaCl₂. A mixture of apatite and calcite was formed at high CaCl₂ concentration. The present results indicate the possibility of preparing hybrid materials, with tailored mechanical and biological properties, based on chemically synthesized collagen.