Layer-by-layer self-assembly of chitosan and poly(γ-glutamic acid) into polyelectrolyte complexes.
Chitosan (Ch) is a nontoxic and biocompatible polysaccharide extensively used in biomedical applications. Ch, as a polycation, can be combined with anionic polymers by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly, giving rise to multilayered complexed architectures. These structures can be used in tissue engineering strategies, as drug delivery systems, or artificial matrices mimicking the extracellular microenvironment. In this work, Ch was combined with poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA). γ-PGA is a polyanion, which was microbially produced, and is known for its low immunogenic reaction and low cytotoxicity. Multilayered ultrathin films were assembled by LbL, with a maximum of six layers. The interaction between both polymers was analyzed by: ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and zeta potential measurements. Ch/γ-PGA polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) revealed no cytotoxicity according to ISO 10993-5. Overall, this study demonstrates that Ch can interact electrostatically with γ-PGA forming multilayered films. Furthermore, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of Ch/γ-PGA PEM structures, elucidating the contribution of each layer for the nanostructured films. These model surfaces can be useful substrates to study cell-biomaterial interactions in tissue regeneration.
INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. joana.antunes@ineb.up.pt
Joana C
JC
Antunes
Catarina Leite
CL
Pereira
Maria
M
Molinos
Frederico
F
Ferreira-da-Silva
Mariagemiliana
M
Dessì
Antonio
A
Gloria
Luigi
L
Ambrosio
Raquel M
RM
Gonçalves
Mário A
MA
Barbosa
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D055682:Viscoelastic Substances / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004573:Electrolytes; D055682:Viscoelastic Substances; C511775:poly(gamma-glutamic acid); D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D048271:Chitosan