title: Synthetic Enantiopure Carbohydrate Polymers that are Highly Soluble in Water and Noncytotoxic.
abstract: The first synthesis of poly-amido-saccharides (PASs) from a galactose(gal)-derived β-lactam sugar monomer is reported. The polymers are prepared using a controlled anionic ring-opening polymerization and characterized by NMR, optical rotation, IR, and GPC. Galactose-derived PASs display high solubility in aqueous solutions and are noncytotoxic to HepG2, CHO, and HeLa cell lines. To evaluate whether gal-derived PASs are recognized by the gal-specific lectin present on human hepatocytes, cellular uptake of rhodamine-labeled polymers is assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Based on these results, the polymers are taken into cells via endocytosis that is not dependent on the gal-specific receptor on hepatocytes. Neutral, hydrophilic polymers, such as gal-derived PASs, are desirable materials for a range of biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, surface passivation, and hydrogel formation.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Dane
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Stacy L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Grinstaff