Zwitterionic Biomaterials

Abstract

The term “zwitterionic polymers” refers to polymers that bear a pair of oppositely charged groups in their repeating units. When these oppositely charged groups are equally distributed at the molecular level, the molecules exhibit an overall neutral charge with a strong hydration effect via ionic solvation. The strong hydration effect constitutes the foundation of a series of exceptional properties of zwitterionic materials, including resistance to protein adsorption, lubrication at interfaces, promotion of protein stabilities, antifreezing in solutions, etc. As a result, zwitterionic materials have drawn great attention in biomedical and engineering applications in recent years. In this review, we give a comprehensive and panoramic overview of zwitterionic materials, covering the fundamentals of hydration and nonfouling behaviors, different types of zwitterionic surfaces and polymers, and their biomedical applications.

Thermoresponsive Self-Healing Zwitterionic Hydrogel as an In Situ Gelling Wound Dressing for Rapid Wound Healing

“…It has been reported that the zwitterionic material with strong hydration capacity could form a stable hydration layer on the surface via electrostatic interaction with water molecules. 48,49 Meanwhile, PEG polymers also demonstrated to have an excellent hydration effect through multiple hydrogen bonding interactions with water. 30 Beneficial from the above advantages of zwitterionic and PEG groups, our PZOPZ hydrogel could generate a stable hydration layer to effectively prevent bacterial adhesion, thus providing a clean microenvironment for wound healing (Figure S9).…”

Multifunctional zwitterionic microneedle dressings for accelerated healing of chronic infected wounds in diabetic rat models

“…10 Among these materials, zwitterionic materials have emerged as robust candidates for wound dressings because they show excellent antifouling properties that can initially resist the adhesion of bacteria. [11][12][13] However, their applications in microneedle patches have been rarely explored to date. Thus, we were eager to prepare zwitterionic microneedle patches for chronic wound healing.…”

Zwitterionic Targeting Doxorubicin -Loaded Micelles Assembled by Amphiphilic Dendrimers with Enhanced Antitumor Performance

“…Since zwitterionic materials can form a dense hydration layer in water, prevent direct contact with proteins, and reduce interaction with proteins, they show good performance in reducing nonspecific protein adsorption. , Zwitterionic groups are modified on the polymer to prepare zwitterionic polymers, which improves the protein stability of polymer micelles and the delivery efficiency of small-molecule anticancer drugs. , However, the number of zwitterionic groups modified on the polymer is uncontrollable, , and too many zwitterionic groups of polymer micelles make them difficult to enter into the tumor site . Dendrimers have controllable surface modification sites and good water solubility.…”

“…25,26 Zwitterionic groups are modified on the polymer to prepare zwitterionic polymers, which improves the protein stability of polymer micelles and the delivery efficiency of small-molecule anticancer drugs. 27,28 However, the number of zwitterionic groups modified on the polymer is uncontrollable, 29,30 and too many zwitterionic groups of polymer micelles make them difficult to enter into the tumor site. 31 Dendrimers have controllable surface modification sites and good water solubility.…”