1. Department of Polymer Science and Technology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China;2. Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, China;3. Tianjin Life Science Research Center and School of basic medical sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
Abstract:
Injectable and biodegradable supramolecular hydrogel mPECT NP/α‐CDgel composed of high‐concentration nanoparticle dispersion (≤20% W/V) and α‐cyclodextrins (α‐CD) are prepared by a two‐level physical cross‐linking using amphiphilic block polymer methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐1,4,8‐trioxa4.6]spiro‐9‐undecanone) (mPECT) and α‐CD. The gelation behavior depends on the concentration of nanoparticles and α‐CD. The viscoelasticity and shear thinning of mPECT NP/α‐CDgel are confirmed. In vitro hydrogel erosion is demonstrated to be mainly a concentration‐dependent dissociation process with general release of discrete mPECT nanoparticles about 50 nm that can be easily taken up by cells. The in vitro release behavior can be modulated by changing the concentration of nanoparticles or α‐CD. In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity study demonstrates its biocompatibility and biosafety. Gel formation after subcutaneous injection is also confirmed and mPECT NP/α‐CDgel shows about 2 weeks retention time. This work validates the potential application for this supramolecular hydrogel in local and sustained delivery of nanoparticles.
