Hydrolytically Degradable Zwitterionic Polyphosphazene Containing HEPES Moieties as Side Groups.

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Zwitterionic polymers offer protein-repulsive and biocompatible properties, serving as alternatives to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG).
• Current zwitterionic polymers lack structural diversity and inherent hydrolytical degradation capabilities, limiting their use in drug delivery.
• Biodegradability is a crucial feature for advanced biomedical materials, especially for controlled release applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel zwitterionic polymer based on the buffering agent HEPES.
• To investigate the hydrolytical degradation and in vitro compatibility of the synthesized polymer.
• To explore the potential of this new polymer as a biomaterial for life science applications, particularly drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Covalent assembly of a multimerized form of HEPES onto a polyphosphazene backbone.
• Characterization of the polymer's solution behavior and hydrolytical degradation patterns.
• In vitro assessment of the polymer's biocompatibility and cell compatibility.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of a novel zwitterionic polymer with approximately two thousand HEPES units on a polyphosphazene backbone.
• Demonstration of typical polyzwitterionic solution behavior and environmentally dependent hydrolytic degradation.
• Exhibition of excellent in vitro compatibility, indicating low cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized HEPES-based zwitterionic polymer presents a promising biodegradable alternative to existing materials like PEG.
• The polymer's tunable degradation and biocompatibility highlight its potential for advanced drug delivery systems.
• This work expands the scope of zwitterionic polymer design for biomedical applications requiring controlled degradation and stealth properties.