Issue 3, 2018

A biocompatible betaine-functionalized polycation for coacervation

Abstract

The aqueous nature of complex coacervates provides a biologically-relevant context for various therapeutic applications. In this sense, biological applications demand a corresponding level of biocompatibility from the polyelectrolytes that participate in complex coacervation. Continued development with naturally-occurring polyelectrolytes such as heparin and chitosan underscore such aims. Herein, we design a synthetic polycation, in which betaine is conjugated to a biodegradable polyester backbone. Betaine is a naturally-occurring methylated amino acid that is ubiquitously present in human plasma. Inspired by its vast range of benefits – including but not limited to anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, protein stabilization, and cardiovascular health – we aim to impart additional functionality to a polycation for eventual use in a complex coacervate with heparin. We report on its in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, in vitro and in vivo effect on angiogenesis, in vitro effect on microbial growth, and ability to form complex coacervates with heparin.

Graphical abstract: A biocompatible betaine-functionalized polycation for coacervation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Sep 2017
Accepted
10 Nov 2017
First published
10 Nov 2017

Soft Matter, 2018,14, 387-395

A biocompatible betaine-functionalized polycation for coacervation

M. P. Hwang, X. Ding, J. Gao, A. P. Acharya, S. R. Little and Y. Wang, Soft Matter, 2018, 14, 387 DOI: 10.1039/C7SM01763D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements