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Published on: October 29, 2013
Controlled release of proteins from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer gels
K P Antonsen1, J L Bohnert, Y Nabeshima
1Center for Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Abstract:
A series of hydrogels with large pores was synthesized by the precipitation polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with crosslinking agent in aqueous solution. Such gels are potentially useful for the controlled release of large-molecular-weight species such as proteins. In this study, the release behavior of lysozyme and alpha-amylase from hydrogels formed from HEMA or HEMA with a comonomer was studied. It was found that the polymer composition affected the total amount of lysozyme released and its activity. Effects were smaller with alpha-amylase. Charged gels, containing a phosphate moiety, released larger amounts of lysozyme at a reduced rate as a result of charge-charge interactions.

