Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Tunable nano-carriers from clicked glycosaminoglycan block copolymers

Abstract

Oxime click reaction is used for the synthesis of diblock copolymers of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) with different molecular weight (Mw) and sulfation degree. The ability of these copolymers to carry positively charged proteins is evidenced by their assembly with poly-L-lysine as a model: interpolyelectrolyte complexes with tunable size at the nanometric scale (radius of 25-90 nm) and narrow distribution are described. We demonstrate that there is a critical Mw of GAG for the formation of stable complexes and that the sulfation degree determines the size of the nano-assemblies. Highly sulfated GAGs form the smallest complexes that are stable to at least 500 mM ionic strength: properties that are not usual for GAG interpolyelectrolyte complexes. The feasibility of the synthesised block copolymers as protein carriers is further evidenced by their complexation with fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). The described assets of GAG block copolymers together with the intrinsic GAG properties as biorecognition and biodegradability open new opportunities in the design of selective encapsulation/release nanosystems with stealth PEG corona.

Journal
Journal of Materials Chemistry B
Volume
2
Issue
26
Pagination
4177-4184
Publisher
The Royal Society of Chemistry
URL
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2014/tb/c4tb00410h#!divAbstract
Keywords
chondroitin sulfate, growth factors, Interpolyelectrolyte complex, Nanoparticle, Poly(ethylene glycol)
Rights
Restricted Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
Project
POLARIS
Year of Publication
2014
DOI
10.1039/C4TB00410H
Date Published
2014-04-22
Search Google ScholarGenerate BibTexDownload RTF
This website uses cookies. By using this website you consent to our use of these cookies. For more information visit our Policy Page.