Cytocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarbonate hydrogels cross-linked by copper-free, strain-promoted click chemistry

• Published in: Chemistry, an Asian journal Vol. 6; no. 10; p. 2730
• Main Authors: Xu, Jianwen, Filion, Tera M, Prifti, Fioleda, Song, Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 04.10.2011
• Subjects: Alkynes - chemistry; Animals; Azides - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - chemical synthesis; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - metabolism; Bone Marrow Cells - chemistry; Bone Marrow Cells - cytology; Bone Marrow Cells - metabolism; Cell Survival; Click Chemistry; Cyclization; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring - chemical synthesis; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring - chemistry; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring - metabolism; Hydrogels - chemical synthesis; Hydrogels - chemistry; Hydrogels - metabolism; Male; Molecular Structure; Polyethylene Glycols - chemical synthesis; Polyethylene Glycols - chemistry; Polyethylene Glycols - metabolism; Rats
• ISSN: 1861-471X
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201100411

Strategies to encapsulate cells in cytocompatible three-dimensional hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and degradability without harmful gelling conditions are highly desired for regenerative medicine applications. Here we reported a method for preparing poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarbonate hydrogels through copper-free, strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) click chemistry. Hydrogels with varying mechanical properties were formed by "clicking" azido-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarbonate macromers with dibenzocyclooctyne-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) under physiological conditions within minutes. Bone marrow stromal cells encapsulated in these gels exhibited higher cellular viability than those encapsulated in photo-cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate. The precise control over the macromer compositions, cytocompatible SPAAC cross-linking, and the degradability of the polycarbonate segments make these hydrogels promising candidates for scaffold and stem cell assisted tissue repair and regeneration.