Effects of quaternization and PEGylation on the biocompatibility, enzymatic degradability and antioxidant activity of chitosan derivatives

Novel hemocompatible nanocomposite hydrogels crosslinked with methacrylated gelatin

Methacrylated gelatin is developed as a macromolecular crosslinker to prepare a novel hemocompatible nanocomposite hydrogel based on polyacrylamide and LAPONITE®.

Co-delivery of paclitaxel and indocyanine green by PEGylated graphene oxide: a potential integrated nanoplatform for tumor theranostics

The schematic of the present NGO-PEG–ICG/PTX for tumor theranostics that integrates fluorescence imaging and chemotherapy.

Gelatin Effects on the Physicochemical and Hemocompatible Properties of Gelatin/PAAm/Laponite Nanocomposite Hydrogels

In recent years, inorganic nanoparticles such as Laponite have frequently been incorporated into polymer matrixes to obtain nanocomposite hydrogels with hierarchical structures, ultrastrong tensibilities, and high transparencies. Despite their unique physical and chemical properties, only a few reports have evaluated Laponite-based nanocomposite hydrogels for biomedical applications. This article presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel, hemocompatible nanocomposite hydrogels by in situ polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) in a mixed suspension containing Laponite and gelatin. The compatibility, structure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the resulting NC gels with varied gel compositions were investigated. Our results show that the prepared nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit good thermal stability and mechanical properties. The introduction of a biocompatible polymer, gelatin, into the polymer matrix did not change the transparency and homogeneity of the resulting nanocomposite hydrogels, but it significantly decreased the hydrogel's pH-responsive properties. More importantly, gelatins that were incorporated into the PAAm network resisted nonspecific protein adsorption, improved the degree of hemolysis, and eventually prolonged the clotting time, indicating that the in vitro hemocompatibility of the resulting nanocomposite hydrogels had been substantially enhanced. Therefore, these nanocomposite hydrogels provide opportunities for potential use in various biomedical applications.

[Antioxidant properties of conjugates of polyethylene glycols, having a terpenophenolic fragments]

A series of water-soluble conjugates has been synthesized from polyethylene glycols of various lengths and 4-bromomethyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol. Evaluation of membrane protective and antioxidant activity of synthesized products on the model of H2O2-induced hemolysis of blood erythrocytes showed that conjugates have considerable antioxidant activity. A significant membrane protective effect was showed in conjugates with 0.2 and 0.8 mass. % of 2,6-diisobornyl-4-methylene fragments.

Oligoamines grafted hyperbranched polyether as high efficient and serum-tolerant gene vectors

To develop low toxic, high efficient, and excellent serum-tolerant polycation gene delivery systems, a series of oligoamines grafted hyperbranched polyether (oligoamines-g-HBP) were synthesized by conjugating different oligoamines, including triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), onto COOH-functionalized hyperbranched poly(3-ethyl-3-oxetanemethanol). It was found that oligoamines-g-HBP exhibited good buffering capacity, strong DNA binding and high resistance against protein adsorption. In vitro cytotoxicity measurement indicated that oligoamines-g-HBP had much lower cytotoxicity as compared with 25 kDa PEI. The transfection efficiency of TEPA-g-HBP/DNA complexes at a certain N/P ratio was significantly higher than that of 25 kDa PEI/DNA complexes. Interestingly, it was found that TEPA-g-HBP had much improved serum-tolerant capability as compared with 25 kDa PEI even when serum concentration was increased to 30%. Confocal laser images further showed that the amount of YOYO-1 labeled DNA in nuclei got increased with increasing the number of secondary amino ethylene groups in oligoamines-g-HBP. The oligoamines-g-HBP presented great potential as gene delivery vectors for further clinical applications.