Carbohydrate-decorated PCL fibers for specific protein adhesion

Biomacromolecules. 2013 Jun 10;14(6):1877-84. doi: 10.1021/bm400263d. Epub 2013 May 7.

Abstract

Ultrafine biocompatible fibers decorated with carbohydrates were prepared by electrospinning. Both bulk- and surface-modification approaches have been investigated and compared in terms of practicability and grafting density along the fibrous mats. On one hand, bulk-functionalized fibers were prepared by electrospinning of native and galactose-modified PCL polymers. The size and morphology of the resulting fibers was strongly influenced by the galactose-PCL content as observed by electron microscopy. Successful surface modification was evidenced by water contact angle measurements, but a rather low carbohydrate density was attained, as indicated by a colorimetric quantification. On the other hand, efficient and versatile surface-glycosylation was achieved after modification of azido-functionalized electrospun fibers by CuAAC click-chemistry. Homogeneous ultrafine PCL fibers, decorated with azide functions, have been made completely hydrophilic upon coupling with propargyl-α-d-mannoside and propargyl-β-d-galactoside. Specific adhesion of lectins further attested good bioavailability of the surface carbohydrate residues, suggesting interesting perspectives of the latter approach in the development of bioactive materials for tissue engineering.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Carbohydrates / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Carbohydrates
  • Polyesters
  • Proteins
  • polycaprolactone