Polymeric biomaterials with engineered degradation

Abstract

Polymeric biomaterials are widely used as carriers for cells and therapeutic agents. Until recently, most research has been limited to a relatively narrow number of monomers and chemistries. A fundamental challenge in developing clinically relevant polymeric biomaterials is to independently control their chemical and physical properties across multiple scales in both time and space. Control over a biomaterial's chemical and physical properties is critical to recapitulate the complex cascades of signals and complex microenvironments found in nature. Typically, dynamically responsive biomaterials either degrade in the presence of a stimulus (i.e., water induces hydrolysis) or experience a change in solubility on application of the stimulus (i.e., temperature induces gelation via lower critical solution temperature LCST). This highlight discusses recent advances in stimulated and controlled degradation of polymeric biomaterials. The goal of this review is to provide a broad overview of physiologically relevant stimuli used to control the degradation of a wide range of polymeric biomaterials with varying architectures and physical forms.

Simultaneous encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles and zinc phthalocyanine in poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization and in vitro studies

“…These results demonstrate the biocompatibility of the NPs in the absence of both magnetic field and light, preventing toxic effects on the healthy cells [20,23,58].…”

“…To avoid these problems, an advanced drug delivery system is needed [9,18].Several kinds of polymeric nanoparticles and polymerization methods have been used to encapsulate magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) inside polymers [6,[19][20][21]. MNPs present low toxicity and are promising materials for cancer treatment [22,23]. Additionally, induced hyperthermia as a procedure for cancer treatment involves raising the temperature of tumor tissues to 40-43 °C [24-26].…”

<I>In Vitro</I> Cytotoxicity of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Nanoparticles and Nanocapsules Obtained by Miniemulsion Polymerization for Drug Delivery Application

“…11 However, the most important in the preparation of polymeric systems for biomedical application, is their biocompatibility, preventing toxic effects on the physiological system. 12 To verify the in vitro biocompatibility of these polymeric systems, fibroblast cells lines are useful models for research since they provide large amounts of consistent cells for prolonged use and because most cellular characteristics are maintained reliable experimental data can be compared among research reports, in which, the same cell lines are used. Mouse fibroblast (L929) is a popular cell line in many experiment aspects such as material biocompatibility testing, 13 14 drug cytotoxicity testing 15 16 and cell biology studies.…”

Preparation of zwitterionic sulfobetaine end-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-b -poly(caprolactone) diblock copolymers and examination of their thermogelling properties

“…However, because the ordered crystalline structure of hydrophobic PPG is easily disrupted in aqueous solutions, using PEG and PPG polymers generates thermogelling polymers that exhibit short persistence times in the gel phase and are not biodegradable. 5,6 To enhance gel-persistence times and biodegradability, several potential candidate thermogelling polymers have been prepared recently, including various block copolymers consisting of PEG and biodegradable polyesters such as poly(Llactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and their copolyesters (the lactic/glycolic acid copolyesters, PLGA) or poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL). 1,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Previously, we developed methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG)-b-PCL (MPC) as a candidate thermogelling material that featured favorable properties.…”