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     

Preparation of bismuth sulfide nanoparticles as targeted biocompatible nano-radiosensitizer and carrier of methotrexate

In this study, Bi₂S₃@BSA–Bio–MTX nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized for the first time by bovine serum albumin (BSA)-mediated biomineralization (Bi₂S₃@BSA NPs) followed by covalent bonding of biotin (Bio) and methotrexate (MTX) on the surface of the Bi₂S₃@BSA NPs via carbodiimide chemistry. The synthesized NPs were globular and exhibited uniform morphology with a hydrodynamic diameter of 107.6 ± 6.81 nm (mean ± standard deviation) and zeta potential of −20.9 ± 2.18 mV. Drug release from Bi₂S₃@BSA–Bio–MTX NPs indicated an enzyme-dependent release pattern. The in vitro biocompatibility of NPs was confirmed by investigating their cytotoxicity against the HEK-293 cell line and hemolysis assay test, whereas the in vivo biocompatibility of the NPs was evaluated and confirmed by the lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀) test. To evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of the functionalized NPs and MTX, their cytotoxic effects was assessed against 4T1 cancer cells by 5-dimethylthiazol-z-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with and without X-ray radiation. Results showed that Bi₂S₃@BSA–Bio–MTX NPs have excellent anticancer activity, especially following X-ray radiation.     

Biocompatibility evaluation of self‐assembled micelles prepared from poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide)‐poly(ethylene glycol) diblock copolymers

In this work, a series of PLGA‐PEG diblock copolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide and glycolide using mPEG as macroinitiator and stannous octoate as catalyst. Spherical micelles were obtained from the various copolymers by using co‐solvent evaporation method. The biocompatibility of micelles was evaluated with the aim of assessing their potential in the development of drug delivery systems. Various aspects of biocompatibility were considered, including MTT assay, agar diffusion test, release of cytokines, hemolytic test, dynamic clotting time, protein adsorption in vitro, and zebrafish embryonic compatibility in vivo. The combined results revealed that the micelles present good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility in vitro. Moreover, the cumulative effects of micelles throughout embryos developing stages have no toxicity in vivo. It is thus concluded that micelles prepared from PLGA‐PEG copolymers present good biocompatibility as potential drug carrier.     

Ex Vivo and In Vitro Studies on the Cytotoxicity and Immunomodulative Properties of Poly(2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline) as a New Type of Biomedical Polymer

Poly(2‐alkenyl‐2‐oxazoline)s are promising functional polymers for a variety of biomedical applications, such as drug delivery systems, peptide conjugates, or gene delivery. In this study, poly(2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PIPOx) is prepared through free‐radical polymerization initiated with azobisisobutyronitrile. Reactive 2‐oxazoline units in the side chain support an addition reaction with different compounds containing a carboxylic group, which facilitates the preparation of polymers labeled with two different fluorescent dyes. The cytotoxicities of 2‐oxazoline monomers, PIPOx, and fluorescently labeled PIPOx are evaluated in vitro using an 3‐(4,5‐Dimethyldiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and ex vivo using a cell proliferation assay with adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence. The cell uptake of labeled PIPOx is used to determine the colocalization of PIPOx with cell organelles that are part of the endocytic pathway. For the first time, it is shown that poly(2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline) is a biocompatible material and is suitable for biomedical applications; further, its immunomodulative properties are evaluated.

     

Nanocomposites of genipin-crosslinked chitosan/silver nanoparticles--structural reinforcement and antimicrobial properties

This study investigates the feasibility of a novel nanocomposite (GC/Ag) of a genipin-crosslinked chitosan (GC) film in which was embedded various amounts of Ag nanoparticles for wound-dressing applications. In situ UV-vis results revealed that adding chitosan solution did not affect the characteristics of Ag nanoparticles. The water uptake ratios and surface hydrophilicity of the GC/Ag nanocomposite were better and the degradation rates slightly lower than those of the pure GC film. The presence of Ag nanoparticles enhanced L929 cell attachment and growth. Its function as an anti-microbial agent in a GC/Ag nanocomposite was assessed for Ag contents of over 100 ppm. In conclusion, silver ions had dual functions--structural reinforcement and provision of antimicrobial properties to a biocompatible polymer.     

Hydrogels: From soft contact lenses and implants to self‐assembled nanomaterials

Hydrogels were the first biomaterials designed for clinical use. Their discovery and applications as soft contact lenses and implants are presented. This early hydrogel research served as a foundation for the expansion of biomedical polymers research into new directions: design of stimuli sensitive hydrogels that abruptly change their properties upon application of an external stimulus (pH, temperature, solvent, electrical field, biorecognition) and hydrogels as carriers for the delivery of drugs, peptides, and proteins. Finally, pathways to self‐assembly of block and graft copolymers into hydrogels of precise 3D structures are introduced. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5929–5946, 2009     

纳米羟基磷灰石/丝素蛋白复合支架材料的降解特性及生物相容性研究

应用共混法制备了纳米羟基磷灰石/丝素蛋白复合支架材料, 通过体外降解和细胞培养实验研究了复合支架材料的降解特性和生物相容性. 体外降解实验结果显示, 复合支架材料具有稳定的降解能力; 在降解过程中, 羟基磷灰石由于与降解液发生钙、磷等离子的交换, 使其结晶得到了进一步生长和完善. 利用细胞计数法、四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)比色法和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性测定等分析了复合支架材料的生物相容性, 结果表明, MG63细胞在复合支架材料上具有良好的粘附、增殖能力, 并可引起早期的骨分化. 因此, 纳米羟基磷灰石/丝素蛋白复合支架作为骨组织工程的支架材料具有良好的应用前景.     

MOLECULAR ENGINEERING STUDIES ON NONTHROMBOGENIC BIOMATERIALS--A NOVEL CLASS OF NONTHROMBOGENIC BIOMATERIALS WITH ZWITTERIONIC STRUCTURE OF CARBOXYBETAINES

N,N-dimethyl-N-methacryloyloxyethyl-N-carboxyethyl ammonium (DMMCA) was graft-copolymerized onto the surface of segmented poly(ether urethane) (SPEU) and PE film. The carboxybetaine structure on SPEU and PE film surfaces was confirmed by ATR-FTIR, XPS and water contact angle measurements. Through the experiments with platelet adhesion and protein adhesion assay in vitro, the two materials studied, including poly-DMMCA gel, all show excellent nonthrombogenicity. This confirms once again that the zwitterionic molecular structure on the surfaces of materials is essential for improving their nonthrombogenicity and biocompatibility.     

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.     

新型PLA-PVP两亲性共聚物的生物相容性

通过溶血试验、动态凝血试验、血小板吸附试验、细胞毒性试验,对新型PLA—PVP两亲性共聚物的生物相容性进行了研究,并考察了共聚物的组成对其生物相容性的影响。结果表明,共聚物的溶血率、凝血程度、血小板吸附和变形情况均符合生物材料生物学评价标准,并且,随单体投料比中亲水性单体NVP舍量增大,共聚物的血液相容性有所提高;细胞毒性试验结果显示共聚物对细胞无毒性,对其生长无明显抑制作用。共聚物中引入亲水性PVP链段后,与单一的PLA材料相比较,生物相容性得到改善。