Alendronate-Functionalized Poly(2-oxazoline)s with Tunable Affinity for Calcium Cations

Biomacromolecules. 2019 Aug 12;20(8):2913-2921. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00104. Epub 2019 Jul 31.

Abstract

A library of poly(2-oxazoline)s functionalized with controllable amounts of alendronate, hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid side groups was successfully synthesized to create novel polymers with tunable affinity for calcium cations. The affinity of alendronate-containing polymers for calcium cations was quantified using isothermal titration calorimetry. Thermodynamic measurements revealed that the Ca2+-binding affinity of these polymers increased linearly with the amount of alendronate functionalization, up to values (KCa2+ = 2.4 × 105 M-1) that were about 120-fold higher than those for previously reported polymers. The calcium-binding capacity of alendronate-functionalized poly(2-oxazoline)s was exploited to form robust hydrogel networks cross-linked using reversible physical bonds. Oscillatory rheology showed that these hydrogels recovered more than 100% of their initial storage modulus after severe network destruction. The versatile synthesis of alendronate-functionalized polymers and their strong and tunable affinity for calcium cations render these polymers promising candidates for various biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alendronate / chemistry*
  • Alendronate / metabolism
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / metabolism
  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / metabolism
  • Oxazoles / chemistry*
  • Oxazoles / metabolism
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / metabolism
  • Rheology

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrogels
  • Oxazoles
  • Polymers
  • poly(2-oxazoline)
  • Calcium
  • Alendronate