Human metabolite-derived alkylsuccinate/dilinoleate copolymers: from synthesis to application

J Mater Chem B. 2020 Nov 11;8(43):9980-9996. doi: 10.1039/d0tb02068k.

Abstract

The advances in polymer chemistry have allowed the preparation of biomedical polymers using human metabolites as monomers that can hold unique properties beyond the required biodegradability and biocompatibility. Herein, we demonstrate the use of endogenous human metabolites (succinic and dilinoleic acids) as monomeric building blocks to develop a new series of renewable resource-based biodegradable and biocompatible copolyesters. The novel copolyesters were characterized in detail employing several standard techniques, namely 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy and SEC, followed by an in-depth thermomechanical and surface characterization of their resulting thin films (DSC, TGA, DMTA, tensile tests, AFM, and contact angle measurements). Also, their anti-fungal biofilm properties were assessed via an anti-fungal biofilm assay and the biological properties were evaluated in vitro using relevant human-derived cells (human mesenchymal stem cells and normal human dermal fibroblasts). These novel highly biocompatible polymers are simple and cheap to prepare, and their synthesis can be easily scaled-up. They presented good mechanical, thermal and anti-fungal biofilm properties while also promoting cell attachment and proliferation, outperforming well-known polymers used for biomedical applications (e.g. PVC, PLGA, and PCL). Moreover, they induced morphological changes in the cells, which were dependent on the structural characteristics of the polymers. In addition, the obtained physicochemical and biological properties can be design-tuned by the synthesis of homo- and -copolymers through the selection of the diol moiety (ES, PS, or BS) and by the addition of a co-monomer, DLA. Consequently, the copolyesters presented herein have high application potential as renewable and cost-effective biopolymers for various biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Antifungal Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Linoleic Acid / chemical synthesis
  • Linoleic Acid / chemistry*
  • Linoleic Acid / pharmacology
  • Polyesters / chemical synthesis
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyesters / pharmacology
  • Succinic Acid / chemical synthesis
  • Succinic Acid / chemistry*
  • Succinic Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • Linoleic Acid
  • Succinic Acid