Cellulose-based click-scaffolds: Synthesis, characterization and biofabrications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Carbohydrate derivatives with propargyl groups offer enhanced chemical and biological properties for medical uses.
• Click chemistry enables efficient scaffold formation by linking azide and alkyne functional groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize azide-functionalized ethyl cellulose (Azido-EC) and alkyne-functionalized β-cyclodextrin (Propargyl-β-CD).
• To demonstrate scaffold formation using click chemistry between Azido-EC and Propargyl-β-CD.
• To create clickable electrospun fibers from Azido-EC for biomolecule immobilization.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Azido-EC (D.S._Azido 0.19) and Propargyl-β-CD.
• Formation of a click-gel scaffold via copper-catalyzed reaction of Azido-EC and Propargyl-β-CD.
• Production of electrospun Azido-EC fibers (290-620 nm) at 20 kV.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of Azido-EC and Propargyl-β-CD as click-chemistry candidates.
• Formation of a stable click-gel scaffold.
• Generation of electrospun Azido-EC fibers suitable for immobilizing alkyne-terminated biomolecules.
• Biocompatibility assay showed high viability of human skin fibroblast cells (HFB4) with the materials at 100 μg/ml.

Conclusions:

• Azido-EC and Propargyl-β-CD are effective building blocks for click chemistry-based scaffold and fiber formation.
• The developed materials are biocompatible and suitable for potential biomedical applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering.
• Electrospun Azido-EC fibers provide a versatile platform for functionalizing surfaces with biomolecules.