Polyglycerol-based polymer network films for potential biomedical applications

Abstract

Synthetic polymeric materials are established as being central to many modern approaches to medical treatments such as biomaterial induced tissue regeneration or drug eluting implants. Cytocompatible, antifouling materials, based on hydrophilic polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol), have been widely studied as a 'blank canvas' substrate; it is possible to apply various bioactive ligands to elicit specific tissue and cell responses. In recent years, branched polyglycerols have gained attention as a viable alternative to PEG as a protein-resistance providing chemical moiety. To this end we have embarked on the preparation of bulk polyglycerol-based films, which are readily synthesized from abundant starting materials, with the aim of evaluating their as yet undiscovered potential as macroscopic biomaterials. Herein we report syntheses, as well as mechanical, and rheological properties of a series of polyglycerolbased polymer networks. Polymeric films produced are highly crosslinked, have high thermal stability, and are flexible with thermal glass transition temperatures below body temperature.

Antibiofouling polymer interfaces: poly(ethylene glycol) and other promising candidates

“…Its polyether structure is similar to PEG but also contains hydroxyl groups amenable to functionalization. [200][201][202][203][204][205] While PG coatings have strong resistance to model proteins such as fibrinogen and albumin, 201,202,204,205 they have not yet been extensively tested in complex biological media such as human blood plasma. While surfaces with linear PG have been synthesized, [194][195][196] the hyperbranched form appears to be more resistant to protein adsorption 196 and is more extensively studied.…”

Hyperbranched polyglycerol as an additive for water-based printing ink

“…10,11 Oligoglycerols (2-10 U) have been FDA approved; 12 therefore, hyperbranched polyglycerols are suitable compounds for biomedical applications. 13,14 Moreover, hyperbranched polyglycerols have already found applications as surfactants in liquids for treating lithographic printing plates 15 and as organic solvents in aqueous inkjet-printing inks to prevent paper deformation. 16 In previous work, it has been shown that commercially available hyperbranched polyesters, such as polymers from the Boltorn TM family, can improve colorfastness to rubbing of solvent-based printing inks.…”

Quantification of Protein Adsorption on Polyglycerol-based Polymer Network Films

“…In previous investigations it was shown that network properties such as elasticity (Youngs modulus) and degree of swelling were proportional to the relative amount of feed monoglycidyl ether comonomer, being dependent on the crosslink density of the homogeneous networks [8]. Likewise, free volume in the networks is expected to increase with a higher ratio of monoglycidyl ether comonomers, a phenomenon reflected in varying glass transition temperatures of the networks also investigated previously.…”

“…Bovine serum fibronectin (1 mg) were purchased from Sigma Aldrich Chemie Gmbh (Munich, Germany). Polyglycerol-based polymer network films are synthesized as previously described [8], according to Figure 1. Disks of 5 mm in diameter are cut from the crude films and extracted with ethanol and subsequently with millipore water in order to remove impurities.…”

“…Recently we have shown a versatile method for preparation of novel polyglycerol based network films for potential biomedical applications [8]. The outstanding property of this material comes primarily from its bulk 962 structure which can be used as a coating for various surfaces.…”