title: Synthesis of temperature-responsive dextran-MA/PNIPAAm particles for controlled drug delivery using superhydrophobic surfaces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To implement a bioinspired methodology using superhydrophobic surfaces suitable for producing smart hydrogel beads in which the bioactive substance is introduced in the particles during their formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Several superhydrophobic surfaces, including polystyrene, aluminum and copper, were prepared. Polymeric solutions composed by photo-crosslinked dextran-methacrylated and thermal responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) mixed with a protein (insulin or albumin) were dropped on the superhydrophobic surfaces, and the obtained millimetric spheres were hardened in a dry environment under UV light.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spherical and non-sticky hydrogels particles were formed in few minutes on the superhydrophobic surfaces. The proteins included in the liquid formulation were homogeneously distributed in the particle network. The particles exhibited temperature-sensitive swelling, porosity and protein release rate, with the responsiveness tunable by the dextran-MA/PNIPAAm weight ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed method permitted the preparation of smart hydrogel particles in one step with almost 100% encapsulation yield. The temperature-sensitive release profiles suggest that the obtained spherical-shaped biomaterials are suitable as protein carriers. These stimuli-responsive beads could have potential to be used in pharmaceutical or other biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra S. Cláudio do Barco, 4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Catarina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Wenlong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blanco-Fernandez
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Lorenzo
authors.forename: João F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mano
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008298:Maleates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008298:Maleates; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins; D012996:Solutions; C514458:methacrylated dextran; C523567:poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-dextran-maleic acid; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate