title: Synthetic oral mucin mimic from polymer micelle networks.
abstract: Mucin networks are formed in the oral cavity by complexation of glycoproteins with other salivary proteins, yielding a hydrated lubricating barrier. The function of these networks is linked to their structural, chemical, and mechanical properties. Yet, as these properties are interdependent, it is difficult to tease out their relative importance. Here, we demonstrate the ability to recreate the fibrous like network through a series of complementary rinses of polymeric worm-like micelles, resulting in a 3-dimensional (3D) porous network that can be deposited layer-by-layer onto any surface. In this work, stability, structure, and microbial capture capabilities were evaluated as a function of network properties. It was found that network structure alone was sufficient for bacterial capture, even with networks composed of the adhesion-resistant polymer, poly(ethylene glycol). The synthetic networks provide an excellent, yet simple, means of independently characterizing mucin network properties (e.g., surface chemistry, stiffness, and pore size).
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky , 177 F. Paul Anderson Tower, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States.
authors.forename: Sundar P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Authimoolam
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Vasilakes
authors.forename: Nihar M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Puleo
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Dziubla
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry; D008823:Micelles; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009077:Mucins / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D019809:Streptavidin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008823:Micelles; D009077:Mucins; D011108:Polymers; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D019809:Streptavidin; D003474:Curcumin