Optimization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers of Serotonin for Biomaterial Applications

We prepared molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT), a neurotransmitter and mood modulator, using a combination of neutral (methacrylamide or acrylamide) and positively charged (methacrylic acid) functional monomers. Water, PBS, acidified methanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate were compared as rinsing solvents for the removal of serotonin from the MIPs. Methacrylamide MIPs rinsed in acidified methanol (92% serotonin removal) produced the highest imprinting factor (3.1) in equilibrium batch rebinding experiments using a combination of 2% water and 98% MeCN as the rebinding solvent. For the first time, these MIPs were assessed for cytocompatibility using mouse mesencephalon neural progenitor cells (NPC) and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Although MIP particles decreased NPC viability to <70%, MIP particles did not significantly reduce fibroblast viability when incorporated into a hyaluronic acid biomaterial. MIP microparticles were incorporated into a cross-linked hyaluronic acid biomaterial to present one way in which molecularly imprinted polymers may be used in vivo in future biomaterials or biosensors applications.