Crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) containing siloxanes fabricated through thiol‐ene photochemistry

Homogenous amphiphilic crosslinked polymer films comprising of poly(ethylene oxide) and polysiloxane were synthesized utilizing thiol‐ene “ click ” photochemistry. A systematic variation in polymer composition was Carried out to obtain high quality films with varied amount of siloxane and poly(ethylene oxide). These films showed improved gas separation performance with high gas permeabilities with good CO₂/N₂ selectivity. Furthermore, the resulting films were also tested for its biocompatibility, as a carrier media which allow human adult mesenchymal stem cells to retain their capacity for osteoblastic differentiation after transplantation. The obtained crosslinked films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR, Raman‐IR , and small angle X‐ray scattering. The synthesis ease and commercial availability of the starting materials suggests that these new crosslinked polymer networks could find applications in wide range of applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1548–1557     

Vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell culture on NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films: a preliminary study for vascular graft development

Tissue engineering offers the potential of providing vessels that can be used to replace diseased and damaged native blood vessels. The endothelization of a synthetic vascular graft minimizes the failures associated with blood clotting and platelet activation. The aim of this study was to culture vascular-derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells on both untreated and NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films, a biocompatible and bio-resorbable polymer, and to evaluate the behavior of both cell types as a preliminary study for vascular graft development. PCL films were prepared by hot pressing; characterized by DSC, IR, SEM, and scanning force microscopy; and treated with NaOH to increase the surface hydrophilicity before cell culture. Endothelial and smooth muscle cells, isolated from pig cava vein, were characterized by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy studies of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Good adhesion, growth, viability and morphology of both the endothelial and smooth muscle cells on PCL films were obtained, but a light stimulation of mitochondrial activity was observed during short culture times. NaOH treatment improved the adhesion and enhanced the proliferation in both cell types. This verified the possible use of this modified polymer as a support in the preparation of a synthetic vascular graft. [Diagram: see text] SEM micrograph of smooth muscle cells cultured on NaOH-treated PCL film. (Original magnification: 1000x).     

聚丙烯表面的生物相容性修饰: 表面氨基放大还原胺化接枝磷酰胆碱

在氨气氛中对聚丙烯薄膜表面进行等离子处理, 获得了不同浓度的表面氨基. 表面氨基的数量经1,6-己二异氰酸酯键合三(2-氨乙基)胺可成倍增加. 用还原胺化法将磷酰胆碱醛共价接枝到表面氨基上获得了磷酰胆碱改性的聚丙烯薄膜. X射线光电子能谱(XPS)测定结果表明, 接枝磷酰胆碱基团的表面覆盖率可达20%～40%. 衰减全反射傅立叶变换红外(ATR-FTIR)和动态接触角测定结果也都说明磷酸胆碱基团被成功地接枝于聚丙烯表面. 还原胺化法结合等离子处理及表面氨基放大技术, 有望成为获取新型生物材料的一种有效途径.     

Hemocompatibility of poly(acrylonitrile-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)s: swelling behavior and water states

Hemocompatibility is an essential aspect of blood contacting polymers. Knowledge of the relationship between polymer structure and hemocompatibility is important in designing such polymers. In this work, the effect of swelling behavior and states of water on the hemocompatibility of poly(acrylonitrile-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PANCNVP) films was studied. Platelet adhesion and plasma recalcification time tests were used to evaluate the hemocompatibility of the films. Considering the importance of surface properties on the hemocompatibility of polymers, static water contact angles were measured by both sessile drop and captive bubble methods. It was found that, on the film surface of PANCNVP with a higher NVP content, adhered platelets were remarkably suppressed and the recalcification time was longer. The total water content adsorbed on the PANCNVP film was determined through swelling experiments performed at temperatures of interest. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to probe the states of water in the films. Based on the results from these experiments, it was hypothesized that the better hemocompatibility of PANCNVP films with higher NVP contents was due to their higher free water content, because water molecule exchange at the polymer/liquid interface, facilitated by a high free water content, is unfavorable for the formation of surface bound water, which causes poor hemocompatibility. [diagram in text].     

ZIF-8 degrades in cell media,serum, and some—but not all—common laboratory buffers

ABSTRACT

Drug delivery using metal-organic frameworks (MOF) has elicited interest in their biocompatibility; however, few studies have been conducted on their stability in common buffers, cell media, and blood proteins. In particular, the use of ZIF-8, a MOF interconnected by Zn and methylimidazole, has been frequently employed. In this study, we tested single crystals of ZIF-8 with common laboratory buffers, cell media, and serum, and noted several issues. Buffers containing phosphate and bicarbonate alter the appearance and composition of ZIF-8; however, these buffers do not appear to cause cargo to leak out even when the ZIF-8 itself is displaced by phosphates. On the other hand, serum dissolves ZIF-8, causing premature cargo release. Our results show that ZIF-8 undergoes surface chemistry changes that may affect the interpretation of cellular uptake and cargo release data. On the other hand, it provides a rational explanation as to how ZIF-8 neatly dissolves in vivo.     

Helical poly(3-methyl-4-vinylpyridine)/amino acid complexes: preparation, characterization, and biocompatibility

Helical poly(3-methyl-4-vinylpyridine) (P3M4VP)/amino acid complexes have been prepared via acid-base reaction of the achiral polymer with D and L amino acids: alanine, leucine, valine, serine and phenylalanine. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of P3M4VP/D- and L-alanine complexes in CH(3)OH/H(2)O show opposing (near mirror image) Cotton effect signals at 278.4, 274.8 and 270.8 nm, indicating the formation of enantiomeric secondary structures. The formation of the enantiomeric structures is supported by observed [alpha](D)(25) values of -3.0 and +3.0 for the P3M4VP/D-alanine and P3M4VP/L-alanine complexes, respectively. The preparation of helical P3M4VP/amino acid complexes has been carried out in CH(3)OH and H(2)O at pH 1.8 and 2.7. The intensities of the Cotton effect signals were good. For example, for the P3M4VP/L-alanine complexes in CH(3)OH/H(2)O and H(2)O (pH 1.8), the second Cotton effect signal around 275-277 nm show [theta;] values of 49 980 and 79 210 deg . cm(2) . dmol(-1), respectively. The formation of the helical secondary structure is rapid. The acid-base reaction between P3M4VP and L-alanine in CH(3)OH/H(2)O, in 10 min, show a CD spectrum with Cotton effect signals at 274 and 272 nm with [theta] values of 27,000 deg . cm(2) . dmol(-1) and -36,000 deg . cm(2) . dmol(-1), respectively. P3M4VP permits ready conformational reorientation on complexation with amino acids, but once the helical P3M4VP/amino acid complexes are formed, it is stable at room temperature. P3M4VP is not compatible with HeLa ovarian cancer cells, but the helical P3M4VP/amino acid complexes are compatible with HeLa cells. The complexes minimally interfere with the adhesion and growth of HeLa cells on complex surfaces. Helical poly(3-methyl-4-vinylpyridine)/D- and L-alanine complexes support the attachment and growth of HeLa cells. The micrographs shows HeLa cells after three days: left panel: on P3M4VP/L-alanine complex; right panel: on P3M4VP/D-alanine complex.     

Spectroscopic characterization and preparation of low molecular,water‐soluble chitosan with free‐amine group by novel method

Low molecular, water‐soluble chitosan (LMWSC) with a free amine group was prepared by the novel salts‐removal method described in this study. A weight‐average molecular weight and degree of deacetylation (DDA) of LMWSC were determined by viscometry and Kina titration, resulting in 18,579 Da and 93% DDA, respectively. In the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra the absorption band by the carboxyl group derived from lactic acid and the impurities formed in the enzymatic process disappeared or were significantly lower than that of the control chitosan. Also, from the ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra the empirical value for the area ratio of the proton and carbon corresponds nearly to its theoretical values. The matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrum identified the difference in the two adjacent peaks as 161. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3796–3803, 2002     

Ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes for novel silicone hydrogels: synthesis,end‐group analysis,contact lens formulations,and structure–property correlations

A series of novel mono‐ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes macromonomers as compatibilizer materials for soft silicon hydrogels were prepared from the anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP) of 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐2,5‐disila‐1‐oxacyclopentane followed by methacrylation. The characterization was performed by end‐group analysis and included the determination of molecular weight, molecular weight distributions, end‐group functionality, and impurity profiles using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. The synthetic procedure was optimized to minimize the formation of any dimer that would have the potential to act as a low molecular weight cross linker. In addition, the novel di‐ethylenically unsaturated polycarbosiloxanes were synthesized by cationic polymerization. Use of these silicone derivatives was explored in the formulation of contact lenses, and the structure–property relationship was examined. When copoymerized with hydrophilic monomers, these were able to give transparent and wettable films with desired properties, particularly a low moduli for contact lenses. Contact lens with high modulus is often shown to impart a higher degree discomfort when worn upon the eye. It was clear from the structure–property relationship that the modulus and the tensile strength of the formulated material depend on the nature and length of the polycarbosiloxane used and may be tuned for the purpose as needed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Properties of Polycarbosilanes Having Lactose‐Derived Structures

A polycarbosilane having lactose‐derived structures was synthesized, and its thermal property, cytotoxicity, chemical crosslinking, and protein adsorption properties were investigated. The polycarbosilane (PSB‐Lac) was prepared by a thiol‐ene reaction between precursor poly(1‐(3‐butenyl)‐1‐methylsilacyclubane) (PSB) and heptaacetyl lactose that carried a thiol group at the anomeric position, and the successive deprotection of the acetyl groups. The lactose introduction efficiency determined by ¹H NMR measurement was 75%. TGA and DSC revealed that the polymer had a 5 wt% decomposition temperature of 260 °C and glass transition temperature (T_g) of 84 °C, which indicated that PSB‐Lac was a thermally stable polymer. PSB‐Lac had no significant cytotoxicity, which was evaluated by human liver cancer cell line HepG2 cultivation on the polystyrene dishes coated with the polymer. Urethane‐crosslinked PSB‐Lac films were prepared by casting solutions of PSB‐Lac and hexamethylene diisocyanate and heating at 120 °C after evaporation of the solvent. The crosslinked PSB‐Lac showed higher adsorption of bovine serum albumin than the similarly crosslinked polycarbosilane that had a glucose structure (PSB‐Glc). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 2420–2425     

Poly(2‐oxazoline) hydrogels crosslinked with aliphatic bis(2‐oxazoline)s: Properties,cytotoxicity, and cell cultivation

A series of hydrogels from 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline and three bis(2‐oxazoline) crosslinkers—1,4‐butylene‐2,2′‐bis(2‐oxazoline), 1,6‐hexamethylene‐2,2′‐bis(2‐oxazoline), and 1,8‐octamethylene‐2,2′‐bis(2‐oxazoline)—are prepared. The hydrogels differ by the length of aliphatic chain of crosslinker and by the percentage of crosslinker (2–10%). The influence of the type and the percentage of the crosslinker on swelling properties, mechanical properties, and state of water is studied. The equilibrium swelling degree in water ranges from 2 to 20. With a proper selection of the crosslinker, Young's modulus can be varied from 10 kPa to almost 100 kPa. To evaluate the potential for medical applications, the cytotoxicity of extracts and the contact toxicity toward murine fibroblasts are measured. The hydrogels with the crosslinker containing a shorter aliphatic exhibit low toxicity toward fibroblast cells. Moreover, the viability and the proliferation of pancreatic β‐cells incubated inside hydrogels for 12 days are analyzed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1548–1559