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Thermo- and pH-Responsive, Coacervate-Forming Hyperbranched Poly(β-amino ester)s for Selective Cell Binding.
Dezhong Zhou1, Luca Pierucci1, Yongsheng Gao1
1Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin , Dublin 4, Ireland.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|February 8, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed novel, degradable polymers that change properties with temperature and pH. These smart polymers form coacervates for molecule encapsulation and show selective cell binding, offering biomedical potential.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Developing stimuli-responsive polymers is crucial for advanced biomedical applications.
- Hyperbranched poly(β-amino esters) (HPAEs) offer tunable properties for drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel thermo- and pH-responsive, coacervate-forming, and degradable HPAEs.
- To investigate the selective cell binding behaviors of these HPAEs.
- To explore the potential of HPAEs in biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of HPAEs via A2+B3 Michael addition of 5-amino-1-pentanol (S5) and trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate (TMPETA).
- Characterization of polymer properties including temperature- and pH-dependent phase transitions using UV-vis spectroscopy and DLS.
- Evaluation of selective cell binding behaviors with HeLa cells.
- Assessment of hydrolyzability and cytotoxicity.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized thermo- and pH-responsive, coacervate-forming, and highly degradable HPAEs.
- Demonstrated tunable phase transition behavior by adjusting polymer structure and solution conditions.
- Observed selective, temperature- and pH-responsive cell binding of S5-TMPETA692 with HeLa cells.
- Confirmed negligible cytotoxicity and high hydrolyzability of the synthesized polymers.
Conclusions:
- The developed HPAEs are promising "smart" materials for biomedical applications due to their responsiveness, coacervate formation, and degradability.
- The tunable nature of these polymers allows for precise control over their behavior in biological environments.
- Selective cell binding properties suggest potential for targeted drug delivery and diagnostics.
