Fig. 1

Synthesis of HGP-CK2.1 drug depots for sustained release. a Schematic illustration of CK2.1 peptide immobilized to HA HGPs via a hydrolytically degradable linker. b Cumulative release of CK2.1 from HA HGPs; peptide release was monitored by UV-Vis at 280 nm. Sustained release was achieved with +9.4 wt% release over days 0–4, and +5.3 wt% release over days 5–7. c C3H10T1/2 micromass cultures were treated with either BMP2 (40 nM) or HGP-CK2.1 (5 nM/day, or 10 nM/day, or 30 nM/day, or 50 nM/day release concentration) and stained with Alcian blue after 7 days. BMP2- and HGP-CK2.1-treated cells showed a significant increase in ECM containing proteoglycans. The mean of the samples was normalized to controls. Error bars represent SEM; *p < 0.05. BMP bone morphogenetic protein, HGP hydrogel particle