title: Synthetic polycations with controlled charge density and molecular weight as building blocks for biomaterials.
abstract: A series of polycations prepared by RAFT copolymerization of N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride (APM) and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide, with molecular weights of 15 and 40 kDa, and APM content of 10-75 mol%, were tested as building blocks for electrostatically assembled hydrogels such as those used for cell encapsulation. Complexation and distribution of these copolymers within anionic calcium alginate gels, as well as cytotoxicity, cell attachment, and cell proliferation on surfaces grafted with the copolymers were found to depend on composition and molecular weight. Copolymers with lower cationic charge density and lower molecular weight showed less cytotoxicity and cell adhesion, and were more mobile within alginate gels. These findings aid in designing improved polyelectrolyte complexes for use as biomaterials.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
authors.forename: Rachelle M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kleinberger
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
authors.forename: Nicholas A D
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
authors.forename: Christal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
authors.forename: Harald D H
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Stöver
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry; D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004583:Electrons; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D008970:Molecular Weight; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D011073:Polyamines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D058105:Polymerization
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005609:Free Radicals; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020100:Hydrogels; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; C045985:methacrylamide
keywords: Polycation; RAFT; anti-fouling; biocompatibility; encapsulation; polyelectrolyte complexes