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Salar Amoli M, Yang H, Anand R, EzEldeen M, Aktan MK, Braem A, Jacobs R, Bloemen V. Development and characterization of colloidal pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels with potential application for drug delivery in dentoalveolar tissue engineering strategies. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 262:129684. [PMID: 38307741 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Incorporation of growth factors, signaling molecules and drugs can be vital for the success of tissue engineering in complex structures such as the dentoalveolar region. This has led to the development of a variety of drug release systems. This study aimed to develop pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels with different synthesis parameters based on a 23 full factorial design of experiments for this application. Microgel properties, including volume phase transition temperature (VPTT), hydrodynamic size, drug loading and release, and cytocompatibility were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated successful copolymerization and development of the microgels, a hydrodynamic size ranging from ∼200 to ∼500 nm, and VPTT in the range of 34-39 °C. Furthermore, loading of genipin, capable of inducing odontoblastic differentiation, and its sustained release over a week was shown in all formulations. Together, this can serve as a solid basis for the development of tunable drug-delivering pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels for specific tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Salar Amoli
- Surface and Interface Engineered Materials (SIEM), Campus Group T, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering (MTM), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 - box 2450, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Huimin Yang
- Surface and Interface Engineered Materials (SIEM), Campus Group T, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Resmi Anand
- Surface and Interface Engineered Materials (SIEM), Campus Group T, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mostafa EzEldeen
- OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oral Health Sciences, KU Leuven and Paediatric Dentistry and Special Dental Care, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Merve Kübra Aktan
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering (MTM), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 - box 2450, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annabel Braem
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering (MTM), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 - box 2450, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Reinhilde Jacobs
- OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Veerle Bloemen
- Surface and Interface Engineered Materials (SIEM), Campus Group T, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Materials Engineering (MTM), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 - box 2450, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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2
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Hebels ER, Dietl S, Timmers M, Hak J, van den Dikkenberg A, Rijcken CJ, Hennink WE, Liskamp RMJ, Vermonden T. Versatile Click Linker Enabling Native Peptide Release from Nanocarriers upon Redox Trigger. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:2375-2386. [PMID: 38079189 PMCID: PMC10739580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanocarriers have shown their ability to extend the circulation time of drugs, enhance tumor uptake, and tune drug release. Therapeutic peptides are a class of drug compounds in which nanocarrier-mediated delivery can potentially improve their therapeutic index. To this end, there is an urgent need for orthogonal covalent linker chemistry facilitating the straightforward on-the-resin peptide generation, nanocarrier conjugation, as well as the triggered release of the peptide in its native state. Here, we present a copper-free clickable ring-strained alkyne linker conjugated to the N-terminus of oncolytic peptide LTX-315 via standard solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The linker contains (1) a recently developed seven-membered ring-strained alkyne, 3,3,6,6-tetramethylthiacycloheptyne sulfoximine (TMTHSI), (2) a disulfide bond, which is sensitive to the reducing cytosolic and tumor environment, and (3) a thiobenzyl carbamate spacer enabling release of the native peptide upon cleavage of the disulfide via 1,6-elimination. We demonstrate convenient "clicking" of the hydrophilic linker-peptide conjugate to preformed pegylated core-cross-linked polymeric micelles (CCPMs) of 50 nm containing azides in the hydrophobic core under aqueous conditions at room temperature resulting in a loading capacity of 8 mass % of peptide to polymer (56% loading efficiency). This entrapment of hydrophilic cargo into/to a cross-linked hydrophobic core is a new and counterintuitive approach for this class of nanocarriers. The release of LTX-315 from the CCPMs was investigated in vitro and rapid release upon exposure to glutathione (within minutes) followed by slower 1,6-elimination (within an hour) resulted in the formation of the native peptide. Finally, cytotoxicity of LTX CCPMs as well as uptake of sulfocyanine 5-loaded CCPMs was investigated by cell culture, demonstrating successful tumor cell killing at concentrations similar to that of the free peptide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik R. Hebels
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TB, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Dietl
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TB, The Netherlands
| | - Matt Timmers
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TB, The Netherlands
- Cristal
Therapeutics, Maastricht 6229 EV, The Netherlands
| | - Jaimie Hak
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TB, The Netherlands
| | - Antionette van den Dikkenberg
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TB, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wim E. Hennink
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TB, The Netherlands
| | - Rob M. J. Liskamp
- Cristal
Therapeutics, Maastricht 6229 EV, The Netherlands
- Department
of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229 ER, The Netherlands
- School
of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Tina Vermonden
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TB, The Netherlands
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Farrag Y, Ait Eldjoudi D, Farrag M, González-Rodríguez M, Ruiz-Fernández C, Cordero A, Varela-García M, Torrijos Pulpón C, Bouza R, Lago F, Pino J, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Gualillo O. Poly(ethylene Glycol) Methyl Ether Methacrylate-Based Injectable Hydrogels: Swelling, Rheological, and In Vitro Biocompatibility Properties with ATDC5 Chondrogenic Lineage. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4635. [PMID: 38139888 PMCID: PMC10747511 DOI: 10.3390/polym15244635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present the synthesis of a series of chemical homopolymeric and copolymeric injectable hydrogels based on polyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEM) alone or with 2-dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate (DMAEM). The objective of this study was to investigate how the modification of hydrogel components influences the swelling, rheological attributes, and in vitro biocompatibility of the hydrogels. The hydrogels' networks were formed via free radical polymerization, as assured by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). The swelling of the hydrogels directly correlated with the monomer and the catalyst amounts, in addition to the molecular weight of the monomer. Rheological analysis revealed that most of the synthesized hydrogels had viscoelastic and shear-thinning properties. The storage modulus and the viscosity increased by increasing the monomer and the crosslinker fraction but decreased by increasing the catalyst. MTT analysis showed no potential toxicity of the homopolymeric hydrogels, whereas the copolymeric hydrogels were toxic only at high DMEAM concentrations. The crosslinker polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) induced inflammation in ATDC5 cells, as detected by the significant increase in nitric oxide synthase type II activity. The results suggest a range of highly tunable homopolymeric and copolymeric hydrogels as candidates for cartilage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousof Farrag
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Djedjiga Ait Eldjoudi
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Mariam Farrag
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - María González-Rodríguez
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Clara Ruiz-Fernández
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Alfonso Cordero
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - María Varela-García
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Carlos Torrijos Pulpón
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Rebeca Bouza
- Grupo de Polímeros, Departamento de Física y Ciencias de la Tierra, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica, Universidade da Coruña, Serantes, Avda. 19 de Febrero s/n, 15471 Ferrol, Spain;
| | - Francisca Lago
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Lab, Research Laboratory 7, Santiago University Clinical Hospital, C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Jesus Pino
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- I+D Farma Group (GI-1645), Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Oreste Gualillo
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
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4
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Brissenden AJ, Amsden BG. In situ forming macroporous biohybrid hydrogel for nucleus pulposus cell delivery. Acta Biomater 2023; 170:169-184. [PMID: 37598793 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Degenerative intervertebral disc disease is a common source of chronic pain and reduced quality of life in people over the age of 40. While degeneration occurs throughout the disc, it most often initiates in the nucleus pulposus (NP). Minimally invasive delivery of NP cells within hydrogels that can restore and maintain the disc height while regenerating the damaged NP tissue is a promising treatment strategy for this condition. Towards this goal, a biohybrid ABA dimethacrylate triblock copolymer was synthesized, possessing a lower critical solution temperature below 37 °C and which contained as its central block an MMP-degradable peptide flanked by poly(trimethylene carbonate) blocks bearing pendant oligoethylene glycol groups. This triblock prepolymer was used to form macroporous NP cell-laden hydrogels via redox initiated (ammonium persulfate/sodium bisulfite) crosslinking, with or without the inclusion of thiolated chondroitin sulfate. The resulting macroporous hydrogels had water and mechanical properties similar to those of human NP tissue and were mechanically resilient. The hydrogels supported NP cell attachment and growth over 28 days in hypoxic culture. In hydrogels prepared with the triblock copolymer but without the chondroitin sulfate the NP cells were distributed homogeneously throughout in clusters and deposited collagen type II and sulfated glycosaminoglycans but not collagen type I. This hydrogel formulation warrants further investigation as a cell delivery vehicle to regenerate degenerated NP tissue. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The intervertebral disc between the vertebral bones of the spine consists of three regions: a gel-like central nucleus pulposus (NP) within the annulus fibrosis, and bony endplates. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a source of chronic pain in the elderly and most commonly initiates in the NP. Replacement of degenerated NP tissue with a NP cell-laden hydrogel is a promising treatment strategy. Herein we demonstrate that a crosslinkable polymer with a lower critical solution temperature below 37 °C can be used to form macroporous hydrogels for this purpose. The hydrogels are capable of supporting NP cells, which deposit collagen II and sulfated glycosaminoglycans, while also possessing mechanical properties matching those of human NP tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Brissenden
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6
| | - Brian G Amsden
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6.
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Hebels ER, Bindt F, Walther J, van Geijn M, Weterings J, Hu Q, Colombo C, Liskamp R, Rijcken C, Hennink WE, Vermonden T. Orthogonal Covalent Entrapment of Cargo into Biodegradable Polymeric Micelles via Native Chemical Ligation. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:4385-4396. [PMID: 36044412 PMCID: PMC10565831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Polymeric micelles (PMs) are promising platforms for enhanced tissue targeting of entrapped therapeutic agents. Strategies to circumvent premature release of entrapped drugs include cross-linking of the micellar core as well as covalent attachment of the drug cargo. The chemistry employed to obtain cross-linked micelles needs to be mild to also allow entrapment of fragile molecules, such as certain peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and fluorescent dyes. Native chemical ligation (NCL) is a mild bio-orthogonal reaction between a N-terminal cysteine residue and a thioester that proceeds under physiological conditions. Here, we designed a trifunctional cross-linker containing two cysteine residues for the micelle core-cross-linking reaction and an azide residue for ring-strained alkyne conjugation of fluorescent dyes. We applied this approach to thermosensitive methoxypolyethylene glycol-b-N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide-lactate (mPEG-b-HPMAmLacn) based block copolymers of a core-cross-linked polymeric micelle (CCPM) system by attaching thioester residues (using ethyl thioglycolate-succinic anhydride, ETSA) for NCL cross-linking with the trifunctional cross-linker under physiological conditions. By use of mild copper-free click chemistry, we coupled fluorescent dyes, Sulfo.Cy5 and BODIPY, to the core via the azide residue present on the cross-linker by triazole ring formation. In addition, we employed a recently developed cycloheptyne strain promoted click reagent (TMTHSI, CliCr) in comparison to the frequently employed cyclooctyne derivative (DBCO), both achieving successful dye entrapment. The size of the resulting CCPMs could be tuned between 50 and 100 nm by varying the molecular weight of the thermosensitive block and ETSA content. In vitro cell experiments showed successful internalization of the dye entrapped CCPMs, which did not affect cell viability up to a polymer concentration of 2 mg/mL in PC3 cells. These fluorescent dye entrapped CCPMs can be applied in diagnostic imaging and the chemistry developed in this study serves as a steppingstone toward covalently entrapped fragile drug compounds with tunable release in CCPMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik R. Hebels
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Bindt
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna Walther
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Qizhi Hu
- Cristal
Therapeutics, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rob Liskamp
- Cristal
Therapeutics, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wim E. Hennink
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tina Vermonden
- Division
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Zhao Z, Li Y, Wang H, Shan Y, Liu X, Wu M, Zhang X, Song X. Ultra-Tough Self-Healing Hydrogel via Hierarchical Energy Associative Dissipation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303315. [PMID: 37505367 PMCID: PMC10520617 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Owing to high water content and homogeneous texture, conventional hydrogels hardly reach satisfactory mechanical performance. Tensile-resistant groups and structural heterogeneity are employed to fabricate tough hydrogels. However, those techniques significantly increase the complexity and cost of material synthesis, and have only limited applicability. Here, it is shown that ultra-tough hydrogels can be obtained via a unique hierarchical architecture composed of chemically coupled self-assembly units. The associative energy dissipation among them may be rationally engineered to yield libraries of tough gels with self-healing capability. Tunable tensile strength, fracture strain, and toughness of up to 19.6 MPa, 20 000%, and 135.7 MJ cm⁻3 are achieved, all of which exceed the best known records. The results demonstrate a universal strategy to prepare desired ultra-tough hydrogels in predictable and controllable manners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional MaterialsEducation Ministry of ChinaFaculty of Materials and ManufacturingBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
| | - Yurong Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional MaterialsEducation Ministry of ChinaFaculty of Materials and ManufacturingBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
- Institute of Information Photonics TechnologyFaculty of ScienceBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional MaterialsEducation Ministry of ChinaFaculty of Materials and ManufacturingBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
| | - Yupeng Shan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional MaterialsEducation Ministry of ChinaFaculty of Materials and ManufacturingBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
| | - Xuemei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional MaterialsEducation Ministry of ChinaFaculty of Materials and ManufacturingBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
| | - Mengfei Wu
- Department of Engineering MechanicsBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
| | - Xinping Zhang
- Institute of Information Photonics TechnologyFaculty of ScienceBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
| | - Xiaoyan Song
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional MaterialsEducation Ministry of ChinaFaculty of Materials and ManufacturingBeijing University of TechnologyBeijing100124China
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Ziminska M, Wilson JJ, McErlean E, Dunne N, McCarthy HO. Synthesis and Evaluation of a Thermoresponsive Degradable Chitosan-Grafted PNIPAAm Hydrogel as a "Smart" Gene Delivery System. MATERIALS 2020; 13:ma13112530. [PMID: 32498464 PMCID: PMC7321466 DOI: 10.3390/ma13112530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Thermoresponsive hydrogels demonstrate tremendous potential as sustained drug delivery systems. However, progress has been limited as formulation of a stable biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel remains a significant challenge. In this study, free radical polymerization was exploited to formulate a biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel characterized by sustained drug release. Highly deacetylated chitosan and N-isopropylacrylamide with distinctive physical properties were employed to achieve a stable, hydrogel network at body temperature. The percentage of chitosan was altered within the copolymer formulations and the subsequent physical properties were characterized using 1H-NMR, FTIR, and TGA. Viscoelastic, swelling, and degradation properties were also interrogated. The thermoresponsive hydrogels were loaded with RALA/pEGFP-N1 nanoparticles and release was examined. There was sustained release of nanoparticles over three weeks and, more importantly, the nucleic acid cargo remained functional and this was confirmed by successful transfection of the NCTC-929 fibroblast cell line. This tailored thermoresponsive hydrogel offers an option for sustained delivery of macromolecules over a prolonged considerable period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ziminska
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (M.Z.); (J.J.W.); (E.M.)
| | - Jordan J. Wilson
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (M.Z.); (J.J.W.); (E.M.)
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Emma McErlean
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (M.Z.); (J.J.W.); (E.M.)
| | - Nicholas Dunne
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (M.Z.); (J.J.W.); (E.M.)
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Centre for Medical Engineering Research, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (I-Form), School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Advanced Processing Technology Research Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Correspondence: (N.D.); (H.O.M.); Tel.: +353-(0)1-7005712 (N.D.); +44-(0)28-90972149/1993 (H.O.M.)
| | - Helen O. McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (M.Z.); (J.J.W.); (E.M.)
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Correspondence: (N.D.); (H.O.M.); Tel.: +353-(0)1-7005712 (N.D.); +44-(0)28-90972149/1993 (H.O.M.)
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8
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Li D, van Nostrum CF, Mastrobattista E, Vermonden T, Hennink WE. Nanogels for intracellular delivery of biotherapeutics. J Control Release 2017; 259:16-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Shen X, Huang C, Shinde S, Jagadeesan KK, Ekström S, Fritz E, Sellergren B. Catalytic Formation of Disulfide Bonds in Peptides by Molecularly Imprinted Microgels at Oil/Water Interfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:30484-30491. [PMID: 27750005 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b10131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This work describes the preparation and investigation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) microgel (MG) stabilized Pickering emulsions (PEs) for their ability to catalyze the formation of disulfide bonds in peptides at the O/W interface. The MIP MGs were synthesized via precipitation polymerization and a programmed initiator change strategy. The MIP MGs were characterized using DLS analysis, SEM measurement, and optical microscopy analysis. The dry and wet MIP MGs showed a hydrodynamic diameter of 100 and 280 nm, respectively. A template rebinding experiment showed that the MIP MGs bound over two times more template (24 mg g-1) compared to the uptake displayed by a nonimprinted reference polymer (NIP) MG (10 mg g-1) at saturation. Using the MIP MGs as stabilizers, catalytic oxidation systems were prepared by emulsifying the oil phase and water phase in the presence of different oxidizing agents. During the cyclization, the isolation of the thiol precursors and the oxidizing reagents nonselectively decreased the formation of the byproducts, while the imprinted cavities on the MIP MGs selectively promoted the intramolecular cyclization of peptides. When I2 was used as the oxidizing agent, the MIP-PE-I2 system showed a product yield of 50%, corresponding to a nearly 2-fold increase compared to that of the nonimprinted polymer NIP-PE-I2 system (26%). We believe the interfacial catalysis system presented in this work may offer significant benefits in synthetic peptide chemistry by raising productivity while suppressing the formation of byproducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiantao Shen
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Hangkong Road #13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University , SE20506 Malmö, Sweden
- G&T Septech AS , P.O. Box 33, 1917 Ytre Enebakk, Norway
| | - Chuixiu Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University , SE20506 Malmö, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo , P.O. Box 1068, 0316 Blindern Oslo, Norway
- G&T Septech AS , P.O. Box 33, 1917 Ytre Enebakk, Norway
| | - Sudhirkumar Shinde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University , SE20506 Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Simon Ekström
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University , 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Emelie Fritz
- INFU, Technische Universität Dortmund , 44221 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Börje Sellergren
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University , SE20506 Malmö, Sweden
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Du EJ, Ahn TJ, Wen X, Seo DW, Na DL, Kwon JY, Choi M, Kim HW, Cho H, Kang K. Nucleophile sensitivity of Drosophila TRPA1 underlies light-induced feeding deterrence. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27656903 PMCID: PMC5068967 DOI: 10.7554/elife.18425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Solar irradiation including ultraviolet (UV) light causes tissue damage by generating reactive free radicals that can be electrophilic or nucleophilic due to unpaired electrons. Little is known about how free radicals induced by natural sunlight are rapidly detected and avoided by animals. We discover that Drosophila Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), previously known only as an electrophile receptor, sensitively detects photochemically active sunlight through nucleophile sensitivity. Rapid light-dependent feeding deterrence in Drosophila was mediated only by the TRPA1(A) isoform, despite the TRPA1(A) and TRPA1(B) isoforms having similar electrophile sensitivities. Such isoform dependence re-emerges in the detection of structurally varied nucleophilic compounds and nucleophilicity-accompanying hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Furthermore, these isoform-dependent mechanisms require a common set of TRPA1(A)-specific residues dispensable for electrophile detection. Collectively, TRPA1(A) rapidly responds to natural sunlight intensities through its nucleophile sensitivity as a receptor of photochemically generated radicals, leading to an acute light-induced behavioral shift in Drosophila. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18425.001 Atoms are made up of a nucleus that contains protons and neutrons, which is orbited by electrons. The electrons orbit within shells that surround the nucleus and each shell can contain a specific number of electrons. A particle with an outer shell that is missing one or more electrons will be unstable and highly reactive. It will attempt to achieve a full outer shell either by sharing electrons with another particle, or by donating or stealing an electron. Particles that steal electrons are said to be “electrophilic” (electron-loving) while those that donate them are “nucleophilic”. Electrophilic and nucleophilic particles can damage DNA and proteins. In species from fruit flies to humans, electrophilic substances such as formaldehyde activate a type of ion channel called TRPA1. These ion channels contribute to pain signaling, and their activation triggers unpleasant and painful sensations that deter animals from getting too close to electrophilic substances. However, it is not known if animals have an equivalent mechanism to help them avoid toxic nucleophilic compounds, like carbon monoxide and cyanide. Du, Ahn, Wen, Seo, Na et al. now show that fruit fly neurons produce two versions of the TRPA1 channel: one that is sensitive to electrophiles, plus a second that is sensitive to nucleophiles in addition to electrophiles. The existence of nucleophile-sensitive TRPA1 helps explain why fruit flies avoid feeding in strong sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation in sunlight triggers the production of reactive forms of oxygen that behave as strong nucleophiles. These reactive oxygen species – which can damage DNA – activate the nucleophile-sensitive TRPA1 and thereby trigger the fly’s avoidance behavior. Human TRPA1 responds only to electrophiles and not to nucleophiles. By targeting the nucleophile-sensitive version of insect TRPA1, it may thus be possible to develop insect repellants that humans do not find aversive. Furthermore, TRPA1s from some insect species are more sensitive to nucleophiles than others, with a mosquitoes’ being more sensitive than the fruit flies’. This means that insect repellants that target nucleophile-sensitive TRPA1 could potentially repel malaria-transmitting mosquitoes without affecting other insect species. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18425.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jo Du
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Jung Ahn
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Xianlan Wen
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Physiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Won Seo
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Neuroscience Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Duk L Na
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Neuroscience Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Young Kwon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Myunghwan Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.,Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Wook Kim
- College of Life Sciences, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hana Cho
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Physiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - KyeongJin Kang
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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