title: Thermoresponsive polymers: insights into decisive hydrogel characteristics, mechanisms of gelation, and promising biomedical applications.
abstract: Thermally induced gelling systems have gained enormous attention over the last decade. They consist of hydrophilic homopolymers or block copolymers in water that present a sol at room temperature and form a gel after administration into the body. This article reviews the main types of thermoresponsive polymers, with special focus on decisive hydrogel characteristics, mechanisms of gelation, and biocompatibility. Promising biomedical applications are described with a focus on injectable formulations, which include solubilization of small hydrophobic drugs, controlled release, delivery of labile biopharmaceutics, such as proteins and genes, cell encapsulation, and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, combinations of thermoresponsive hydrogels and various nanocarriers as promising systems for sustained drug delivery are discussed through selected examples from the literature. Finally, there is a brief overview of current progress in nano-sized systems incorporating thermoresponsive properties.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Maja Radivojša
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Matanović
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Julijana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kristl
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia. Electronic address: ahlinp@ffa.uni-lj.si.
authors.forename: Pegi Ahlin
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Grabnar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Controlled release; In situ forming systems; Nanocarriers; Protein delivery; Thermosensitive hydrogels; Tissue regeneration