Functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) enhances drug delivery and provides chemical moieties for surface engineering while preserving biocompatibility.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the more widely used polymers for biomedical applications. Nonetheless, PLGA lacks chemical moieties that facilitate cellular interactions and surface chemistries. Furthermore, incorporation of hydrophilic molecules is often problematic. The integration of polymer functionalities would afford the opportunity to alter device characteristics, thereby enabling control over drug interactions, conjugations and cellular phenomena. In an effort to introduce amine functionalities and improve polymer versatility, we synthesized two block copolymers (PLGA-PLL 502H and PLGA-PLL 503H) composed of PLGA and poly(epsilon-carbobenzoxy-l-lysine) utilizing dicyclohexyl carbodiimide coupling. PLGA-PLL microspheres encapsulated approximately sixfold (502H) and threefold (503H) more vascular endothelial growth factor, and 41% (503H) more ciliary neurotrophic factor than their PLGA counterparts. While the amine functionalities were amenable to the delivery of large molecules and surface conjugations, they did not compromise polymer biocompatibility. With the versatile combination of properties, biocompatibility and ease of synthesis, these block copolymers have the potential for diverse utility in the fields of drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
James P
JP
Bertram
Steven M
SM
Jay
Sara R
SR
Hynes
Rebecca
R
Robinson
Jason M
JM
Criscione
Erin B
EB
Lavik
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D051381:Rats; D013499:Surface Properties
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid