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Galactose-functionalized injectable thermosensitive microgels for target specific uptake in hepatoma cells
Qianru Zhang1, Lili Zhu1, Tianyi Zhang1
1Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China.
Journal of Biomaterials Applications
|June 29, 2023
Summary
Scientists developed an injectable microgel, P(DEGMA-co-OVNGal), for targeted cancer therapy. This thermoresponsive material shows excellent biocompatibility and controlled drug release, demonstrating potential for advanced drug delivery systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Microgels are promising for responsive composite materials due to stability and modifiability.
- Their biocompatibility and controlled-release properties are ideal for biomaterials and biomedicines.
- Designing microgels with targeting capabilities is crucial for applications like cell targeting and uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize an injectable, thermoresponsive microgel, P(DEGMA-co-OVNGal), for drug delivery.
- To investigate the effect of crosslinker content and monomer ratio on microgel properties.
- To evaluate the drug release profile, cell targeting efficiency, and biocompatibility of the synthesized microgel.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of P(DEGMA-co-OVNGal) microgels using 2-methyl-2-acrylate-2-(2-methoxy ethoxy) ethyl ester (DEGMA) and galactose-containing glycopolymer (OVNGal).
- Tuning crosslinker content (1-7%) and monomer ratio (DEGMA:OVNGal) to control sol-gel transition and morphology.
- In vitro drug release studies using doxorubicin (DOX) as a model drug.
- In vitro experiments to assess targeting of HepG2 cells and biocompatibility.
Main Results:
- Microgel morphology changed from loose to compact with increased crosslinker content, reducing swelling ratio and phase transition temperature.
- Particle size increased from 460 nm to 660 nm with increasing monomer ratio.
- In vitro studies showed up to 50% cumulative DOX release over 7 days.
- The microgel effectively targeted HepG2 cells and demonstrated excellent biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- The injectable P(DEGMA-co-OVNGal) microgel exhibits tunable properties based on crosslinker content and monomer ratio.
- The microgel demonstrates controlled drug release and effective targeting of cancer cells.
- P(DEGMA-co-OVNGal) microgels show significant potential as drug delivery carriers for targeted cancer therapy.
