Synthetic neoglycopolymer-recombinant human collagen hybrids as biomimetic crosslinking agents in corneal tissue engineering.
Saturated neoglycopolymers, prepared via tandem ROMP-hydrogenation (ROMP=ring-opening metathesis polymerization) of carbohydrate-functionalized norbornenes, are investigated as novel collagen crosslinking agents in corneal tissue engineering. The neoglycopolymers were incorporated into recombinant human collagen type III (RHC III) as collagen crosslinking agents and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) mimics. The purely synthetic nature of these composites is designed to reduce susceptibility to immunological and allergic reactions, and to circumvent the transmission of animal infectious diseases. The collagen-neoglycopolymer biomaterials exhibit higher stability to collagenase-induced biodegradation than the control materials, composites of RHC III crosslinked using EDC/NHS (EDC=1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide; NHS=N-hydroxysuccinimide). Even at this proof of concept stage, the thermal stability, enzymatic resistance, and permeability of the neoglycopolymer hydrogels are comparable or superior to those of these fully optimized control materials, which have successfully been tested clinically. Tensile strength is adequate for transplantation, but lower than that of the optimized control materials.
Merrett
Kimberley
K
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1S 8M5, Canada.
Liu
Wenguang
W
Mitra
Debbie
D
Camm
Kenneth D
KD
McLaughlin
Christopher R
CR
Liu
Yuwen
Y
Watsky
Mitchell A
MA
Li
Fengfu
F
Griffith
May
M
Fogg
Deryn E
DE
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D003315:Cornea / Q000254:growth & development*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D011108:Polymers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003094:Collagen