title: Cytocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarbonate hydrogels cross-linked by copper-free, strain-promoted click chemistry.
abstract: Strategies to encapsulate cells in cytocompatible three-dimensional hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and degradability without harmful gelling conditions are highly desired for regenerative medicine applications. Here we reported a method for preparing poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarbonate hydrogels through copper-free, strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) click chemistry. Hydrogels with varying mechanical properties were formed by "clicking" azido-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarbonate macromers with dibenzocyclooctyne-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) under physiological conditions within minutes. Bone marrow stromal cells encapsulated in these gels exhibited higher cellular viability than those encapsulated in photo-cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate. The precise control over the macromer compositions, cytocompatible SPAAC cross-linking, and the degradability of the polycarbonate segments make these hydrogels promising candidates for scaffold and stem cell assisted tissue repair and regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics & Physical Rehabilitation, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
authors.forename: Jianwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Tera M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Filion
authors.forename: Fioleda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prifti
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000480:Alkynes / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001386:Azides / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D057930:Click Chemistry; D003500:Cyclization; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D001386:Azides; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols